Donnie Ray Croom

Donnie Ray Croom passed into our eternal world on Feb. 4, 2015, at the age of 76. He died at home in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, while being cared for by his loved ones.

He was born Sept. 15, 1938, in Manila. A resident there until after his graduation from Manila High School in 1956, serving as lifeguard for the Manila Pool until his enlistment in the U.S. Naval Branch of the military on Sept. 1, 1959, where he served 23 years active duty before his retirement of service to his country. He was an avionics electronics engineer serving many times on aircraft carriers around the world repairing helicopters and aircraft used to protect and defend our country, also serving two Vietnam terms; search and rescue. There wasn't anything the man couldn't fix, and he found great enjoyment taking of his time to fix things for others.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, R.A. and Dorthy Croom; one younger brother, Ronnie P. Croom; and a nephew, Cade Allen Christie, son of Ginger Croom Christie, all of Manila.

Survivors include four children, Timothy Noal Croom of Olive Branch, Mississippi, Sammie Dawn Finley of Osceola, Cindy René Raybon of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and Demetra Diannne Rayborn of Conway;

Ten grandchildren, three belonging to Tim N. Croom: Teresa Dawn Carlin,(husband Eddie), two great-grandchildren, Haleigh Elicia and Michael Lawrence of Southaven, Mississippi; Timi Alice Nicole Irvin (husband Ryan) of Memphis; Stephanie Abbagail Waldrop (husband Jake), and two great-grandchildren, Mac Noal and Aubree Grace born to Abbgail and Jake Waldrop all of Memphis; three grandchildren of Sammie D. Finley: Brandi R. Jackson (husband Matt) and great-grandson Matthew Avery Jackson of Manila; Jarred Timothy Bishop of Las Vegas, Nevada; Nora Dawn Freeman and great-grandchildren, Jimmy D. (Jay) Freeman; Jerra Josette Freeman; and Finley Grace Freeman of Batesville; Cindy R. Raybon (husband Walter), two grandchildren; Dustin Heath Bennett of Manila and Benni Don Bennett (wife Nicole), three great-grandchildren, Bryson Gale, Colton Anthony and Logan John, all of Marietta, California; Demetra D. Rayborn; two grandchildren, Jackie Ray Jones of Murfreesboro, Tennessee and Callie Nicole Brigh (husband Kyle), and one great-granddaughter; Kylie Jean all of Conway.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Faith Funeral Service Chapel in Manila.