Graveside funeral services for Mellie Jo Crocker will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, April 23, 2002, at Maple Leaf Cemetery, Oak Harbor. Pastor Joe Price of the Church of Christ of Bellingham officiating.

Mellie J. Crocker, age 68, died at Whidbey General Hospital, Coupeville, on April 18, 2002. She was born July 7, 1933, in Henderson County, Tenn. to Joe Bryan and Lena (Cozart) Small. Mellie was raised in Tennessee and graduated from high school in Lexington. Following the death of her father, she moved to Memphis. While there, she met Alvin R. Crocker. The Crockers were married in Memphis on Feb. 3, 1953.

Mellie followed Al’s Navy career, traveling to Florida, Georgia, Texas, California and Okinawa. The Crockers were transferred to Whidbey Island Naval Air Station in 1962. In 1971 they moved to San Diego. Seven years later, they returned to Oak Harbor, making it their permanent home.

Mrs. Crocker was active in genealogy and computers. Most of all, she was a wife, mother and homemaker.

Her husband, Al at the family home, Oak Harbor and one son Alvin B. Crocker and wife Vicki of Hanover, Colo., one sister Alma Louise Hicks of California and three grandchildren survive Mrs. Crocker.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor, Washington. This obituary may be seen on-line at http://burley.plan4ever.com