Ruth Lowberg Croft, devoted to her church
Ruth Lowberg Croft, 86, of Lewes, passed from this life into the care of her Lord and Savior Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013, surrounded by her loving family at her home.
Born April 23, 1926, in Lowell, Mass., she was the daughter of the late Sam and Jeannette Corliss Lowberg. In 1966, she was married to her beloved husband of 47 years, Paul Bertrand Croft Jr., who survives her. Together they raised seven children. She was a vibrant, optimistic woman who proudly embraced being born again, and being dedicated to her family, her church, and the community by volunteering in many activities.
She was a member of the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary Post 28 in Long Neck, a bell ringer for the Salvation Army during Christmas season, and she was a volunteer at Midway Baptist Church, where she was a member since 2006. She was an amazing charity worker and loved studying the Bible and reading Christian books. She would take her coat off in the middle of winter and give it to anybody who needed it. At one period in her life, Ruth cared for Paul’s mentally retarded brother, Donald Lee Croft, for over 20 years and treated him as her own son. Most of all, she was very committed to her family and friends.
Prior to moving to Lewes in 2006, she was deeply involved in volunteering with the Colesville Baptist Church where she was a member for over 41 years. She did meal preparation for and visitations to many senior citizens. She was very involved with the community and Little League while raising all her kids, always shuffling kids to multiple practices and games for baseball, football and wrestling (sometimes all in the same day). When her youngest son attended West Virginia University, she founded the Air Force ROTC Detachment’s Booster Club. She loved bowling, boating, fishing and camping as well as traveling with her husband in their RV all over the United States. Everyone who knew her, knew you would never serve her cold French fries “or else!” She was deeply loved and admired by her friends and family, and will be greatly missed.
In addition to her husband Paul, she is survived by seven children: Beatrice Jeannette Hale of San Clemente, Calif., August Frederick Wieneke and wife Jenna, of Shallotte, N.C., Raymond Harold Wieneke of Maysville, W.Va., Kaare Glenn Wieneke and significant other Tracy Snell, of Bethesda, Md., Paul Bertrand Croft III of Beaumont, Texas, Robert Lee Croft, of Columbia, Md. and Lt. Col. Eugene Michael and Elsa Croft, of Montgomery, Ala. She is also survived by three siblings and numerous other family members: Bill Lowberg, Doris Frazier and Mildred Hynes; 16 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and many extended family members and friends. Ruth was preceded by her infant, in addition to her parents. Lastly, she leaves behind her beloved Yorkie Mindy.
A funeral service is scheduled noon, Wednesday, Jan. 15, at Midway Baptist Church, 21265 John J. Williams Highway (Rt. 24), Lewes. Viewing and visitation begins at 11 a.m. Mrs. Croft will have a second memorial service at Colesville Baptist Church at 11 a.m., Friday, Jan. 18, followed by internment at Washington National Cemetery, 4101 Suitland Road, Suitland Md.
In lieu of flowers for the Delaware service, donations may be made to the Midway Baptist Church Building Fund. In Maryland, donations may be made to the Colesville Baptist Church, Colesville, MD 20904.
