Crawford Hines Cronin

Crawford Hines Cronin, Jr., age 85, went to be with the Lord during the morning hours on Sunday, February 13, 2022. He was born October 8, 1936, in El Dorado, Arkansas, to Crawford and Lillie Mae Cronin.

Dr. Cronin was a lifelong educator and friend who touched, and inspired

countless lives across Mississippi. During his fifty-plus-year career, he served in many capacities. For twenty- two years, he courageously and tirelessly served as the Superintendent of Education at Columbia School District (1973-1977) and Moss Point Municipal Separate School District (1977-1995). During this time, he also taught both graduate and undergraduate classes at the University of South Alabama and his alma mater, the University of Southern Mississippi (Ed.D. 1972). For the next eleven years, Dr. Cronin served as a beloved University professor, student mentor, and Director (to name a few) at Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi. After retiring, he continued to serve Delta State as an educational consultant and as the interim director of the Center for Economic Development and Education. His talents and passion for education can still be seen in the many teachers and administrators he impacted over the years.

Dr. Cronin cherished his family, and he was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. He especially loved spending time with his six grandchildren who affectionately call him “Doc.” And they loved spending time with him. He loved the outdoors: hunting, fishing, gardening, and especially golf. Doc loved to play golf. In fact, some of his best memories are from the times he spent on the golf course with his family and friends.

Dr. Cronin had an unwavering faith in Jesus Christ. He served his church families faithfully as a deacon and a teacher. However, his faith was best shown through his unselfish service and support for others.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Ella Earnestine Dumas; his two sons, Greg (Laura) Cronin; Mike (Tara) Cronin; six grandchildren, Andrew; Claire; Will; Sam; Matthew, and Caroline, and brother Bob (Jo) Cronin. He was preceded in death by his father Crawford Hines Cronin, Sr., mother Lillie Mae Cronin, and brother Lonnie Cronin.

A service will be held on Saturday, February 19, 2022, at Jones Funeral Home, 105 W. Third Ave., Crossett, AR 71635. The funeral service will begin at 11:00 am with the graveside service following immediately after.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages friends and family to make a gift in honor of Dr. Cronin to either First Baptist Church of Cleveland, 101 N. Bolivar Avenue, Cleveland, MS 38732, or Young Life Jackson County (MS50), P.O. Box 1816, Ocean Springs, MS 39566. Please indicate

that gifts are in honor of Dr. Hines Cronin.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, is honored to serve the Cronin family.