ONE HUNDRED YEARS: RUBY CROLEY

On August 27th, 1920, James Walter and Liller Mae Holland welcomed their daughter, Ruby Doris Holland Croley, into the world. This year, on the centennial of her birth, we celebrate with her and her family.

Ruby Croley was the fourth of six siblings. She had four brothers, Wallace, Clyde, Forrest, and Huey, and one sister, Dorothy. She grew up on the family farm and attended Saks, where she played on the women’s basketball team. Ruby would pass down the stories of living rurally in Calhoun County and tell her family what it was like to grow up during the depression years. During World War II, Mrs. Croley worked as a typist-supply clerk for the Anniston Army Depot. In 1946, at 26 years old, Ruby met the love of her life and soulmate, Francis Denman Croley. When Mrs. Croley met her husband Denman, he had just completed his service as an Army instructor pilot and would then work for Texaco, Inc. During his 38-year career, the family moved all over the southeast. In their retirement, the Croley family returned to Oxford and moved into Denman Croley’s childhood home, where Mrs. Croley still lives today. She and her husband would always do their part in helping with the polls in the municipal elections. Denman passed in September of 2017, having been married to his wonderful wife for seventy years. Their three loving sons, Frankie Croley, Major General John M. Croley, and Colonel Mark H. Croley, have continued their fantastic legacy. Mrs. Croley is the grandmother of six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Mrs. Croley loves her church family and attends Oxford First Baptist. When asked about her longevity, Ruby claims she owes it all to her hard work, faith, and the love of her family and friends.

Mayor Alton Craft hereby proclaimed Thursday, August 27th, 2020, as “Ruby Doris Holland Croley Day.”

The City of Oxford wishes Mrs. Croley an incredibly happy 100th birthday, and we are thrilled to celebrate her life.

Photo to the left: John Croley, Ruby Croley, and Frankie Croley