15/08/2025
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our mother, Minnie Ruth Crook, daughter of the late James Eddie Spann and Hattie Eula Blanchard Spann.
Funeral services will be Sunday, August 17, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Hayes Funeral Home Chapel in Elba, AL, with visitation one hour prior to the funeral service. She was born on May 16, 1927, in Hartford, AL. Her mother taught her about Jesus, and that was the beginning of her unwavering love and constant faith in Him. She was baptized as a young girl with a group in the Basin Community, Coffee Co., AL, in a pond on her daddy’s land. She was a loyal member at Elba Methodist Church where she was loved by many. Her Christian life was as beautiful as the flowers that she loved so well, and her influence will forever remain in the lives of all who knew her. She quietly departed this life August 14, 2025, at home surrounded by loved ones. Minnie was preceded in death by her husband of sixteen years, Virgil Parker, who passed on October 17, 1959. They were blessed to have six children together. After Virgil’s passing, she later married Delmer (Boots) Flowers and gained two lovely stepchildren. Delmer preceded Minnie in death on November 28, 1978.
Years later, and after working as a nurse with Donald H. Crook, Sr., M.D, for several years, she married him and loved and took care of him through his failing health. While taking care of him, she suffered a heart attack and went in the hospital for by-pass surgery. Without having her love and special care, Donald went in the hospital and passed on May 12, 2001, before she was able to come home from her hospital stay. Minnie was preceded in death by her daughter, Carol Landis Walden, and her son, Randal Hubert Parker, grandson, John Bradley Richards of Mooresville, N.C. and a great-grandson, Daniel Stokes, sons-in-laws: Aubrey (aka Buddy) Walden and John Henry Richards. Minnie was also preceded in death by all of her siblings, sisters, Edna Mae Thornton, Ruby Allen Eiland, and Suzie Lee Collier. Preceded in death by her brothers, Walter Junior Spann, James Frank Spann, David King Spann, William Rayford Spann, George Washington Spann, and Hubert Joseph Spann.
Her beautiful life will forever be cherished in the lives and hearts of her surviving children: Jerry (Lela) Parker, Elba, AL, Shirley Richards (Ronnie) Walden, Brundidge, AL, Mickey Parker, Opp, AL, and Sandra (Wilson) Carroll, Troy, AL. Stepchildren: Patsy Fuller, Rockmart, GA and Danny Flowers, New Brockton, AL.
Grandchildren: Darren Walden, Victoria, AL, Timothy Walden, Victoria, AL, Aubrey Lee (Jessica) Walden, Banks, AL, Dianna Parker, Elba, AL, Amanda (Bobby) Ellis, Elba, AL, Jeremy (Shay) Parker, Elba, AL, Marlena (Billy) Richards, Elba, AL, Tammy Maynard, New Brockton, AL, Tracy (Mark) Stokes, Elba, AL, Kellie (Brent) Helms, Dothan, AL, Sophia (Tim) Altomare, Burke, VA, Stephen Richards, Greenville, AL, Donna (Derek) Thorsrud, Spanish Fort, AL, Michael (Britley) Parker, Elba, AL, Brent (Chelley) Carroll, Dothan, AL, Stephanie (Craig) Schimmer, Wetumpka, AL.
Step-grandchildren: Lisa (Mike) Cooley, Panama City, FL, Wayne (Stephanie) Fuller, Rockmart, GA, Cindy Sharp, Rockmart, GA, Talitha (Gary) Pollard, New Brockton, AL
Minnie is also survived by several great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews and a sister-in-law, Mamie Spann, also a very special cousin Rebecca Smith. Dayspring Hospice has been wonderful and became family to our mother. We cannot thank them enough for all the love and professional care they gave her. She really enjoyed singing and praying with them.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to Elba Methodist Church, Dayspring Hospice and/or The American Heart Association (AHA).
