Carol Crouch

Carol Dawn Crouch was born on July 18, 1934, in a small shotgun house in Lexington, Tennessee to her parents, Ray Otis Taylor and Jessie Mae (nee Williams) Taylor. She was the oldest of seven children, four brothers, Ray, Jr., Paul, Jimmy, James; and two sisters, Opal Louise, and Marie Inez. Her sister, Opal Louise Taylor passed away, at two years old of Polio. She and her siblings all had nicknames which confused people thinking there were 12 of them instead of six. Carol was affectionately known as “Sister,” by her family and friends. She was a selfless and humble person who took on the role of mother to her siblings, when their mother passed away on Inez’s first birthday. Carol was a little girl herself, but she accepted this role graciously. She gave up everything for herself for her sister. Carol began school at the all black school, Montgomery High School, Lexington, Tennessee, and was raised by her grandmother, Ida Watson, until her father was able to move the family to Garden City, Kansas. They slept six kids in a full-size bed, three at the top and three at the bottom. Their home was a two room, 200 sq. ft. house, without a bathroom. It was not easy, but Carol never complained. She worked many jobs, cleaning houses and waiting tables at a local country club to help her father provide for the family. She graduated from Garden City Senior High School in 1952 and made the decision to move to Denver with her dear friend, Wanda Cleaver. Even when Carol left home and moved to Denver, Colorado to begin her new life. She sacrificed everything for her family. She often told the story that she gave her father $100 for her siblings, and she only had $100 when she left home. She was always thinking of her younger brothers and sister. She sent clothes and money from her tips while working at “The Hong Chow” Chinese restaurant on Welton St. in the “5 Points” area. Inez remembers all the pretty dresses she bought for her and especially the time she wrote her sister and asked her to send her $1.50, so she could join the Brownies. Inez found the letter amongst Carol’s keepsakes. Inez was 9 years old and in the 4th grade. Carol met the love of her life, her future husband, Leonard Crouch. They married on July 23, 1966 in Green River, Wyoming and remained married until his death in 2011. She helped him raise his four children, a son and three daughters. She loved her husband and family. Carol loved to visit her nieces and nephews and have them visit her in Wyoming. She loved to play the slot machines in Las Vegas and Wendover, Nevada. She relished attending family reunions, per her niece, Geneice’s recollection; “she only missed one!” Carol worked as a waitress for many years before she decided to attend Parks School of Business and learned how to be a Keypunch Operator. She began this career at First National Bank of Denver. She was an outstanding Keypunch Operator. She was also employed by The Union Pacific Railroad her entire time living in Green River, Wyoming. She was the only black female in the railroad billing office. Carol retired from the railroad in the 1980’s. She and Leonard began their retirement journey. After his death, Carol made the decision that she wanted to return to Denver and be close to her family. She cherished the time with her nieces and nephews. She was happy being back home. She bought a home with her sister, Inez and began an extensive renovation project, which was in progress at the time of her death. She often told her story to her friends of her of life in a two-room house, to a life in a six-bedroom home with a sister who absolutely adored her, and cared for her in their home, until her death. She will be missed by her family and friends. She was a “one of a kind” with a most wonderful smile that will never be forgotten and will be cherished by many. In life we loved her dearly. In death we love her still. In our hearts she left a place that can never be filled Carol Dawn Crouch departed this life on January 12, 2018, in Denver, Colorado. She leaves to cherish her memory, her siblings, Ray Otis Taylor, Jr., Paul David Taylor, Sr., Jimmy Dewitt Taylor, and James Ellsworth Taylor, Marie Inez Taylor Williams; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.

Funeral Home: Pipkin Braswell - 843 West 100th Place Northglenn, Colorado
Visitation: 1/19/2018 at 4:00 PM - Pipkin Braswell - 843 West 100th Place Northglenn, Colorado
Service: 1/20/2018 at 2:00 PM - House of Hope Christian Ministries - 10180 East Colfax Ave. Aurora, Colorado
Cemetery: Pipkin Braswell - 843 West 100th Place Northglenn, Colorado