- Date Of Birth: February 7, 1912
- Date Of Death: July 17, 2018
- State: Illinois
Marie Crouse, age 106, died Tuesday, July 17, 2018, in Surprise, AZ at the home of her daughter and son-in-law.
Prior to moving to Arizona in 2011, she was a lifelong resident of Jacksonville, IL. From her birth in Winchester, IL on February 7, 1912, to her death on Tuesday, she nourished people around her with love, faith, and dedication.
Marie was born on a farm near Winchester to Clarence Cordell and Effie Pearl Wright Scott. She was one of ten children; six brothers and three sisters.
Marie started grade school in a one room schoolhouse in Winchester, IL and finished grade school in Jacksonville, IL. At the age of 15, she attended a local dance at the Auto Inn in Jacksonville and met her soon to be husband, Clarence Harrison Crouse. They were married on June 30, 1928, and he preceded her in death on February 17, 1988. After they were married, Marie held various jobs, including New Method Book Bindery, Hertzberg Book Bindery, and Mace’s Drug Store. Clarence and Marie purchased and operated the Trailways Café and Bus Stop on West State Street in Jacksonville from 1947 to 1967.
Left to honor Marie and remember her love, are her three children: Clarence (Barbara) Crouse Jr. of Jacksonville, IL, James (Sandra) Crouse of Union Grove, AL, and Patricia (Curt) Simpson of Surprise, AZ. Marie was blessed with 19 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and 7 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one son, Reginald, and her nine brothers and sisters.
Marie will be remembered as a Christian woman of conviction, substance, kindness, and love, especially to her loving daughter Patricia, who cared for her during her last years. She is now with her Lord and Savior. Her reason for such a remarkable longevity, “Never stop working.” Marie was a member of Central Christian Church in Jacksonville, IL and Winchester Christian Church.
She was an avid Bingo player, frequently playing for many years at the AMVETs in Jacksonville and later at the Riverboat Bingo in Surprise, AZ. Everyone at the Riverboat Bingo called her “mom.” She also crocheted over a hundred Afghans for many of her family and friends. Her cooking skills were renowned, especially her amazing oyster dressing, her melt in your mouth pie crust, and her peach cobbler.
