Joseph E. Crook Sr., 80, of Inman, a retired pastor who served in the Upstate, died Oct. 2, 2007, at Spartanburg Regional Hospice Home after a short illness.
Born May 30, 1927, in St. George, he was a graduate of St. George High School, North Greenville College and Furman University. While completing his undergraduate work, he pastored several churches. He completed his education at New Orleans Baptist Seminary, receiving a master of divinity degree.
Crook came to Spartanburg in 1959 as associate pastor at First Baptist Church, Spartanburg. He later served Northside Baptist Church in Woodruff and Morningside Baptist Church in Spartanburg.
After retiring from the pastorate, Crook was director of the Vera Parsons Adult Center at the Charles Lea Center in Spartanburg. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, having served in Japan.
Survivors include his wife, Jane Bolding Crook, six children, 10 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.