Rozilyn Haskew Croft passed away on Saturday, April 1, 2023. “Roz”—as those closest to her knew her—was born on July 13, 1949, in Andalusia, Alabama. She grew up primarily on her parents’ farm near McKenzie, Alabama, with her younger brother, Medford. Throughout her life, her greatest focus was on her family; her husband of 51 years, John Croft, and her children, Johnny Croft of New York City and Clare Croft of Ann Arbor, Michigan. She was devoted to being a mother, known in the family for leaving long voice mails that almost always ended with the reminder, “This is Mom!”
Croft graduated from Evergreen High School in 1967 and the University of South Alabama in 1970, with a BS in Education. In 1974, she received an M. Ed. from the University of Alabama. She went on to be a dedicated teacher, mainly working in the first and third grades at elementary schools across Alabama. She taught at schools in Enterprise, Repton, McKenzie, and Tuscaloosa, and spent the majority of her career at East Three Notch Elementary in Andalusia, Alabama. She often remarked upon her love of being in the classroom with children and was especially focused on the joyous labor of teaching first graders how to read. Croft was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church, which she served in a multitude of ways; Sunday School teacher, Vacation Bible School leader, local and district United Methodist Women’s officer, and—most recently—as an avid member of her church’s Bible Buddies.
Croft is preceded in death by her parents, Lamar and Clarence Haskew of McKenzie, Alabama; mother-in-law, Helen Croft of Evergreen, Alabama; and a host of uncles and aunts, including Agnes Haskew of Andalusia, Alabama.
A celebration of her life will take place on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, at Providence United Methodist Church, 32200 Jimmy Faulkner Drive in Spanish Fort, Alabama, at 11AM, with a visitation with the family at 10AM.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the University of South Alabama College of Education & Professional Scholarship Fund. Mail checks to the Office of Development 650 Clinic Drive, Ste. 1500 Mobile AL 36688 United States or at https://giving.southalabama.edu/
Expressions of condolence for the family may be made at www.hughesfh.com. Hughes Funeral Home, 26209 Pollard Road, Daphne, AL, is assisting the family.
My deepest condolences to the Croft family for the passing of Rozilyn Haskew Croft. While I may not have personally met her, I know her to be a great individual through her son, Johnny.