Olive E. Croom, 97, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2014. The angels of Heaven came and carried her away to the greatest welcome home party.

Visitation will be held at Bright Funeral Home Chapel on Wednesday, Jan. 7, at 11:30 a.m. A Funeral Service will also be held at Bright Funeral Home Chapel on Wednesday, Jan. 7, beginning at 12:30 p.m. Interment will follow at Fort Bayard National Cemetery.

She lived for the past five years with her son, Tim Croom, and daughter-in-law, Delia Croom, in Puyallup, Wash. She was born Oct. 30, 1917, to Clifford and Pearl Brown. She was married 57 years to Dale Clifford Croom, making their home in Silver City for many years. Mrs. Croom loved her Lord and Savior Jesus with all her heart. She showed her love for him through her faithful service and giving to her beloved church home, Bible Baptist Church of Silver City. She warmed the hearts of many through her amazing cooking and hospitality. Everyone loved her delicious homemade apple pies, they were said to be the best. In her later years she showed courage and strength by uprooting to live in the beautiful Northwest where she continued to warm the hearts of new friends. Her grandchildren loved to listen to her stories of old as she would take them through history, leaving them full of awe and wonder.

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and one brother and five sisters and their spouses.

She is survived by her sons, Mark Croom and Tim Croom; five grandchildren, Christopher Croom, Mica Griggs, Erica Gijalva, Veronica Croom and Jonathan Croom; six great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Jonathan Croom, Chris Croom, Todd Griggs, Aaron Grijava, Ted Vaughn and Mike Vaughn.