Deatrice “Dee” Booker, 85, of Cassopolis

Published 5:34 pm Friday, August 16, 2024

October 16, 1938 – August 3, 2024 

Deatrice “Dee” J. (Crumb) Booker, 85, of Cassopolis, died peacefully Saturday, August 3, 2024. She accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as a young youth in Dublin, Mississippi.

Her life began October 16, 1938, in Trail Lake, Mississippi, the fourth of five children born to William “Wil” and Mary (Bradley) Jackson, Sr. Her education began in Dublin, Mississippi at the Dublin Elementary School where she attended through the 8th grade. Her education continued at Aggie High School in Clarksdale, Mississippi where she completed the 11th grade.

She later completed High School at Samuel Adams High School in Cassopolis, Michigan and went on to attend Southwestern Michigan College working toward her associate’s degree.

Deatrice was united in marriage to Odell Crumb Sr. in 1958. He preceded her in death in 1960. She married Willie Thomas Booker November 13, 1968, in Chicago, Illinois.

After forty-seven years of marriage, he preceded her in death in 2015.

Deatrice was intelligent, strong, tenacious and had a vast knowledge of different subjects which included going to the fruit and vegetable farms picking her own assortment of products. She and her late husband would spend countless hours working outside of the home and returning home to cook and can for their family.

Deatrice also enjoyed attending church, traveling, sporting events and shopping for clothing which she had her own distinct style. If she couldn’t find a style in the clothing store, she would purchase the pattern and make it herself.

Deatrice was selfless, giving of her heart to her family and friends. Her strength was her family and there was nothing she would not do to show her love for them. She was an extraordinary woman of faith and will be greatly missed by family and friends.

She is survived by daughters, Dornzella (Raphael, Sr.) Beecham, Nadine Booker, (Darryl Minniefield) Corine (Teron) Jackson, Stephanie (Randy) Dumas Willa Booker, all of Chicago, Gayla (Randall) Crumb White, LaMeasa (Mark) Gooden, both of Atlanta, Georgia, Jacqueline Booker and Odell Crumb Jr. both of Cassopolis.

She leaves to cherish her memory a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; one daughter, Vera Jackson; one son, Anthony Crumb; two grandsons, Martin Jackson; James L. Gardner, one granddaughter, Tamara Tucker, one sister, Selena Jackson; and three brothers, William Jackson, Jr., James Jackson, and Joe Louis Jackson.

The family prefers contributions in memory of Deatrice be made to Gayla Crumb.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Wagner Family Funerals Connelly Chapel, Cassopolis. Please share a memory or a message online: wagnercares.com.