Frances Burris Crooke

Frances Burris Crooke was born January 2, 1936, in Wingate, NC and passed away peacefully on December 17, 2022 in Carpinteria, CA. She was 86. Frances was the fifth of six children born to the late Dr. Craven Cullum Burris and the late Virginia Currie Burris of Wingate, NC. A lifelong educator, she grew up near the campus of Wingate College where her father was president for many years. Frances had a passion for reading and learning and was at her happiest when she was sharing, discussing, and debating both historical and currents events with her family, friends, and students. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, friend, role model and pillar of the community.

Frances was educated in the Wingate Public Schools, Wingate College, and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro where she received her bachelor’s degree. After graduation, she pursued her passion to teach, following in the footsteps of her parents, aunts, brothers, and sister. Her teaching career included stints in Miami, FL and Gastonia, NC before returning to Union County Public Schools where she taught for over 30 years. Most will remember her as one of the notable teachers at Forest Hills High School in Marshville, NC where she taught many subjects over the years but was instrumental in helping students explore history and current events. She treasured the friendship of colleagues at Forest Hills, and the support she received from the two principals for whom she worked – J.E. Hogan and Charles Williams. Frances was active at Wingate Baptist Church for most of her life where she taught Sunday School, served as a deacon and on countless committees, and was a key member of the church choir. Frances loved music and was always happy to share that love with her students, friends, and family.

Frances married Thomas Leonard Crooke, Sr. in 1962. They were married for over 51 years and through Tom’s work at Teledyne Allvac, they lived in Los Angeles, CA and Pittsburgh, PA in addition to Wingate, NC. Tom and Fran were inseparable and shared a passion for music, travel, and sports. They were both involved in the music of their community and churches, sports at Forest Hills and Wingate University, and, with their two sons, traveled the USA in their RV.

Through their RV travel, they discovered Linville Land Harbor in Linville, NC where they built a vacation cabin and spent many years enjoying their mountain getaway with their friends and family. During their retirement, escaping to the cool mountain air was a constant part of their schedule and a place to go for quiet reflection and outdoor pursuits. Tom Sr. always had a project going, but Frances could sit all day on her deck in the mountains reading, studying, and talking with friends and neighbors.

Frances’ greatest joy was her family, husband Tom, sons Tom Jr. and John, and grandchildren David, Daniel, Mary Katherine, Anne Marie, and Isla. Her companionship, love, loud cheering, limitless stories, eternal enthusiasm towards discovering and appreciating the beauty in life, and a penchant for indelible turns of phrase brought so much happiness and joy to her family until her final days. Her encyclopedic knowledge of history and current events and willingness to discuss and debate any issue leave a lasting impact on all of them. She strongly supported diversity of thought and inclusion and respect to all communities, and she passed those morals down to her children and grandchildren. While her health had declined in recent years, she never lost the sparkle in her blue eyes and her wry sense of humor.

Frances was predeceased by her parents, her husband Tom, her brothers James, William, Allen and Robert, and her sister Mary Benjamin Hall. She is survived by her sons, Thomas L. Crooke, Jr. and John Burris Crooke, and daughter-in-law Dianna Jaynes, all of Carpinteria, CA, and daughter-in-law Suzanne Sims of Wilmington, NC. She is also survived by her five beloved grandchildren, David B. Crooke of Chicago, IL: Daniel J. Crooke of Los Angeles, CA: Mary Katherine Crooke of London, UK: Anne Marie Crooke of Boston, MA: and Isla Jaynes Crooke of Carpinteria, CA.

The family would like to thank the residents and staff of Gran Vida Senior Living and Memory Care in Carpinteria, CA and to Central Coast Hospice of Santa Barbara, CA for the care and love shown to Frances over the last two years. They would also like to thank Pearl, Linda, Carmen, and Tony at Ace Senior Care in Pasadena, CA for many years of love and care.

A memorial service will be held at Wingate Baptist Church, Wingate, NC on Saturday April 15 at 1:30pm. An open visitation with family, friends and neighbors will follow in the church fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Alzheimer’s Association or to your local educational institution.

Online condolences may be made at www.gordonfuneralservice.com

Gordon Funeral Service and Crematory, 1904 Lancaster Ave, Monroe, NC 28112 is caring for the Crooke Family.