Mabel Crouch, age 89, died on Sunday, March 16, 2025 at NMMC Hospice Unit. Mabel was born in Pontotoc, MS to Howard and Loyce Vaughn. She graduated from Ecru High School and then moved to Memphis and attended Memphis School of Commerce to become a legal secretary. While in Memphis, she met and married Jay Peay Crouch, Jr. They were married for 65 years at the time of Jay’s death, three years ago.
After the children were grown up, she re-entered the work force to become a church secretary. Her love for Jesus made it easy to drop whatever task was at hand to pray with whoever called the church office and needed some words of encouragement.
Mabel and Jay were active church members of wherever they lived and Mabel taught preschool Sunday school for many years and was a great advocate for missions. While living in New Orleans, they ministered to many New Orleans Theological Seminary students and supported many of their missionary activities as prayer and financial partners.
In their retirement years, they moved to Pontotoc and built their house and spent countless happy hours doing yardwork and mowing. Jay was the official Master Gardener but Mabel was just as knowledgeable.
Mabel is survived by her children; Chris (Christy) Crouch of Bigelow, AR and Cynthia (Jim) Phillips of Greenwood, MS; three grandsons were blessed to call her “MomMom”, Stephen (Amanda) Phillips of Brentwood, TN, Jonathan (Olivia) Phillips of Clinton, MS and Kevin Phillips of Jacksonville Beach, FL. Her legacy also includes three great-grandchildren; Jackson, Georgia Kate and Summer Jane of Clinton. Mabel also leaves a sister, Martha Jo Barton of Pontotoc and nieces and nephews.
The West Heights Church ministry and fellowship was a blessing to the family. A time of visitation will be there on Wednesday, March 19, from 9:30 to 11:00 A.M., with the service to follow at 11:00 A.M., officiated by Rev. David Hamilton, with burial in Oak Hill Cemetery.
The family wishes to thank the village that helped walk Mabel home to Heaven, NMMC 4 South and Inpatient Hospice, Dr. Stephen Montgomery and staff, Peggy Smith, Martha Hancock, Ann Holmes and Becky Baker and family.
Memorials may be sent to West Heights Baptist Church or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Online condolences may be sent at www.browningpontotoc.com.
