Olive E. Croom, 97, was carried by the angels from her home of five years in Puyallup, Wash., to a great welcome home party in heaven, on Dec. 27, 2014.

She was married to Dale Cliff Croom, with whom she shared her home in Arenas Valley for many years. Mrs. Croom was raised in rural New Mexico near Datil and lived the last five years of her life with her son and daughter-in-law, Tim and Della Croom.

She loved her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with all her heart and was faithful to Him in service and giving through Bible Baptist Church of Silver City. She warmed the hearts of many through her amazing cooking and hospitality. Everyone loved those delicious homemade apple pies.

At 92 years of age, she showed courage and strength by uprooting to move to Washington to be near her son. Her grandchildren and friends loved to hear her stories of old as she took them through the history of her growing-up years.

Mom/Grandma/Dear Friend, you will be missed so much yet we rejoice knowing we will see you again in heaven.

She was preceded in death by her husband of more than 60 years, one brother and five sisters and their spouses, and survived by her sons Mark and Tim, five grandchildren, Christopher Croom of Albuqerque, Mica Griggs of Nashville, Tenn., Erica Grijalva of St. Louis, Mo., Veronica Croom of Puyallup, Jonathan Croom of Tacoma. Wash., and six great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

A viewing is scheduled at Bright Funeral Home in Silver City at 11:30 a.m. on Wed., Jan. 7, and a celebration of life service at 12:30 p.m. Interment will take place at Fort Bayard National Cemetery .