Ellis Crook Obituary

His early years were shaped by hard work. Throughout his childhood, he milked cows twice a day, picked cotton, churned butter, hoed the garden, and plowed behind a mule.

His father owned a general store in Senoia that was founded in 1913. As a teenager, Ellis ran the store while his father was bedridden for two years with tuberculosis. Each day, he brought home the cash receipts in a cigar box so his father could count them.

Ellis was drafted into the United States Army and served for two years during the Korean Conflict. After his discharge, he returned to Senoia to operate his father’s store while attending Georgia State University at night on the GI Bill.

He met Patricia Yarbrough of Beulah, Alabama, who had recently graduated from Auburn University and was teaching Home Economics at East Coweta High School. During their courtship, he would send treats for her class along with her grocery orders.

They married in 1960, and that same year Ellis purchased his father’s store. The store not only served the Senoia community but also functioned as a central hub for communication among residents. Ellis was at the heart of it all. He treated everyone with the same dignity and respect, regardless of class, race, or religion. He valued relationships above all else and dedicated himself to serving his small community. He worked seven days a week for most of his life and believed deeply in hard work and helping others whenever they were in need.

He was an active member of the Senoia American Legion, serving as secretary-treasurer. He also operated the Teen Club, which provided local teenagers with a place to gather and dance on Friday nights at the Freeman Sasser Building in Senoia City Park. The club helped pay off the mortgage on the building, which had been constructed by the American Legion.

Ellis served on numerous boards and organizations throughout his life. He was Chairman of the Board of the Georgia Food Industry Association, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Associated Grocers, a wholesale grocery warehouse in College Park, a board member of the Coweta County Hospital Authority, a trustee of Flint River Academy, a founding member of the Coweta County Zoning Appeals Board, and held various leadership positions at Senoia Methodist Church.

In 1981, he built the current Crook’s Marketplace. His son, Greg, joined the business in 1987 after completing his education. Together, they expanded their business interests, creating McIntosh Finance, a regional installment lending company with offices from Atlanta to Columbus; Hit-N-Run convenience stores; an additional supermarket in Newnan; the redevelopment of Crook’s Tire & Auto; and the completion of the Addy Building, a commercial property named in honor of his mother’s family.

At the age of 88, Ellis became a published author with the release of Senoia Boy, which is available on Amazon. He generously donated all rights and earnings from the book to the Senoia Historical Society.

Ellis had a servant’s heart. He was the heartbeat of Senoia.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Pat, and his son, Ken. He is survived by his daughter, Cheryl Thompson (John); his son, Greg; and his grandchildren, Gregory Crook and Jordan Lee Crook.

Visitation will be held at McKoon Funeral Home in Newnan on Friday, June 26, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

The funeral service will be held at Senoia United Methodist Church on Saturday, June 27, at 11:00 a.m., with a graveside service to follow. Lunch will be served afterward in the fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to I-58 Mission (thei58mission.org) or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org). Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.mckoon.com.

McKoon Funeral Home & Crematory 770-253-4580