Naija Crouch

Naija Ruth (Williams) Crouch 94, beloved wife, mother and grandmother left this world to be with our Lord and Savior, Oct. 7, 2016.
She was born to William and Ada Elizabeth Williams on April 24, 1922, in Van Buren County, Arkansas.
Naija and O.L. Crouch were married March 30, 1940, also in Van Buren County, Arkansas and moved to the Shawnee area until 1959, then moved to a ranch in Haskell County. They raised Brahman cattle and founded the Red Brahman Association.
Naija had an associate degree in science from Connors State College and then graduated from Northeastern State University, Tahlequah, in 1972 with a bachelor of arts in education and a minor in sociology. Naija had also graduated from NEFF Business College.
She was a member of Faith Community Church in Whitefield. She loved teaching, especially the Bible and was very educated in the scriptures. She loved gardening, writing poetry and short stories.
She loved God above all else and always gave of herself whether it was time or monetary to numerous churches, missions and charitable organizations.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 58 years, O.L. Crouch in April, 1998; her parents, William and Ada Williams; three brothers, Lloyd, Billy and Farris Williams; and a sister, Dana Smith.
Naija is survived by her daughter, Jan Hollingshead and husband Bill of Shawnee; her son, Ronald Crouch and wife Francille of Stigler; seven grandchildren, Naija, B.J., Sharyl, Tammy, Kevin, Kim and Stephanie; 17 great-grandchildren; 10 great-great grandchildren; two brothers, Myron and Boyd; three sisters, Gail, Phyllis and Linda; numerous nieces and nephews.
Services were held Oct. 11 at Freedom Assembly of God Church in Shawnee with the Rev. Mary Fitzer officiating.
Burial followed to Resthaven Cemetery in Shawnee under the direction of King & Shearwood Funeral Home in Stigler.