Nellie Frances Crochet

Anyone who visited the Crochet home at 2127 Desmond in Decatur would have found a half full pot of chili or some of Nell's patented homemade chicken soup on the stove and her immediate urge to the visitor, never a stranger, to sit down for a meal. Nell Crochet was a generous woman of modest means who insisted on serving food for both the body and soul. The most important part of the meal, however, would have been some "old school" principles one discussed while enjoying a second helping. Nell professed strong, traditional values to everyone she met throughout her years, most of which had been instilled in her from her upbringing with four siblings during the threatening years of the Great Depression. She was raised in a small coal mining town named Plains, in eastern Pennsylvania just outside of Scranton. Nell was not just thrifty, but down right frugal, and one would not dare leave a morsel on the plate lest be chastised for wasting it. But, one simply would not have wanted to out of respect for Nell knowing that she truly believed what she preached. After working in Washington D.C. during World War II, Nell married the late Andes A. Crochet and moved to Louisiana where his own family resided. The young Crochet family moved to Decatur, GA in 1948 where Nell raised six sons (and many more adopted sons). She was the proverbial "stay at home" mom, yet far reaching in her influence within the Decatur and Atlanta communities, even though she never had a driver's license. She was steadfast in her Catholic faith and an original member of St. Thomas More Church. An avid sports enthusiast, she spent endless days at Medlock ball park and other venues cheering on the kids, critiquing the umpires, and raising funds for the league. Nell treated everyone equally. She always welcomed people with a unique combination of steadfast principles, warmth, and a sense of humor. Most likely, one would not escape from the encounter without at least taking out the trash or bringing in the mail for her, because with Nell Crochet, "there are no free lunches." And no one seemed to mind doing a chore for lunch. It was Nell and we all loved her. Nellie Crochet passed away on July 24, 2012 from natural causes. She was born in Plains, PA on March 21, 1920 to John and Victoria (Lenkowski) Gregonis. Her husband, Andes Crochet, preceded her in death on February 17, 1990. She is survived by 6 sons, Jack Crochet, Bob Crochet, Bubba Crochet, Greg Crochet, Donnie Crochet and Ken Crochet; a brother, William Gregonis, York, Pa.; 15 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to St. Vincent De Paul c/o St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 636 W. Ponce de Leon Ave. Decatur, Ga. 30030. A mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Thomas More in Decatur on Saturday, July 28, 2012 at 1:00 pm with Fr. Brian Lorei presiding. A private internment to follow in Decatur Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10:00 am until 12:00 noon Saturday at A.S. Turner and Sons Funeral Home and Crematory in Decatur. Nell Crochet will be missed dearly by her family, most of whom live in the Atlanta area, and many others whose lives she positively impacted.


Funeral Home:
A. S. Turner & Sons
2773 North Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033