Obituary of Booker M Cropper

Booker Marvin Cropper was born June 14, 1925, in Horntown, Virginia, to Eva and Walter Cropper.  He was the third oldest of eight;  Bromer, Marie, Booker, Elmer, Louis, Norma Lee, Walter and Helena.  They truly loved their brother who left school before graduation to help the family do sharecropping in the area.  Sundays off were spent in church learning of God as he accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior in his youth.   After he became of age, he worked in Norfolk, Virginia before going into the Army.   Later he headed north to Philadelphia to live with his aunt.  Booker found love in the eyes of Rosa Collins one Saturday at Woodside Amusement Park in June 1946. Three months later they were married by her uncle, Eubie Gilbert of Eternal Baptist Church. They served faithfully in the choir and as ushers even bringing neighborhood children with them to church on the trolley.  In their early years of marriage, after having two children, they allowed family and friends to live with them until they got on their feet, get married, and moved on.  Looking for a chance to make their dream come true, they moved to Williamstown, New Jersey. He returned to country living while continuing to work in the city at ARCO. He worked for ARCO for 36 years. They loved farming; having big turkeys, unusual cows and chickens plus growing the biggest turnips and collards ever.  They also enjoyed traveling to various and were afforded the opportunity to visit England, France, Italy, Canada, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, the Holy Land, and 35 of the 50 states of America. In 1975, Booker and Rosa became members of Open Bible Baptist Church. They served in various ministries including being ushers and driving for the Bus Ministry.  His love of God also increased his giving. When his company offered 100% matching funds to charitable organizations, they sent three men in suits and briefcases from California to validate his giving to Victory House, a charity for wayward girls.  The program continued another two years and the ministry flourished.   Their generosity continued through the rest of their lives to all who needed help.  They even took in foster children for 10 years seeing three of them getting adopted. They all came back to visit from time to time with their families. God called Booker home from his labor as he prepared for lunch on Dec 17th.  He leaves to cherish his memories and the life lessons he provided his children: Marvin Sir Lester Cropper and Gwendolyn Cropper Green; grand children: Marvin and Keith Pollitt, Scott Drummond, Walter IV, Gwendolynn, Vashti and Kadesha Green, Chester and Ann Hope, 10 great grand children, and five great-great grand children, his sister Helena Johnson of Horntown, Virginia, a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends near and far. Sorrowfully submitted, The Family