These words describe the Serviceable and Faithful life of Sister Mary T. Petty—a long life spent teaching,
leading, and uplifting mankind.
One of nine children, she was born to the late Reverend and Mrs. J. W. Croom, Sr., in Greensboro, Hale
County, Alabama. Early in life, she expressed faith in Christ and became an active member of Rising Star Missionary Baptist
Church, Greensboro, Alabama.

She received her education in the Bessemer Public School System.
A graduate of Herzing Business College and Birmingham-Easonian Baptist Bible College, her love for
people carried her to many, many churches as a lay speaker, locally, state-wide, and nationally.
A member of Mt. Hebron Missionary Baptist Church since 1955, she worked tirelessly as Superintendent
of the Sunday School, and in the Missionary Department, Youth Department, Children's Church, and
Women's Fellowship. She chaired many, many programs of enhancement at her church.
She was an avid and faithful worker in the Mt. Pilgrim Association, working many years in the Mt. Pilgrim
Matrons Department, as a teacher in the Mt. Pilgrim Congress of Christian Education Department,
as a leader of the Number One District, and a lecturer in the Alabama State Women's Division.

She was a civic, community, and Christian worker, and a friend to all mankind.
Her favorite scripture was Proverbs 3:5–6: "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine
own understanding. In all thy ways, acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."
Her favorite song was "A Charge to Keep I Have".

She was preceded in death by her parents, Reverend and Mrs. J. W. Croom, Sr.; brothers, John L. Croom,
Charles E. Croom, and Isaac Croom; and son, Reverend Donald B. Johnson.
She leaves to cherish her memorable life: one loving, devoted daughter, Mary E. Wilson; one son, Joseph
R. Johnson; one grandson, Jason C. Johnson; three granddaughters, Donnetta (Benjamin) Kindred, Alethia
(Cecil) Barker, and Tiffany (Mark) Brown; six great-grandchildren; two brothers, Reverend J. W.
Croom, Jr., and Benjamin Croom, both of Birmingham; two sisters, Annie Hall of Chicago, Illinois, and
Lucy (James) Boyd of Birmingham; her rosebuds, Dr. Shameza (Mark) Dennis and Mashezia (Demetrius)
Vincent; stepdaughters, step-grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins,
and friends; and the love of her life, Mt. Hebron Missionary Baptist Church.