About Us

Steve was born October 28, 1943 in Port Arthur, Texas to the late Thomas Lee Murray and Jennie Mae Robbins Murray. Steve was the Owner and Funeral Director in Charge of Croley Funeral Home in Gilmer, Gladewater and Hawkins and Grubb’s Lloyd Funeral Home in Gilmer and Diana. He married Karen Borel in 1968 and they spent 52 years together. Steve was a 32nd Degree Mason and Scottish Rite Shriner. Serving as Past Master and Counselor of the Port Arthur DeMolay Chapter, member of the Cosmopolitan Lodge #872 A.F. and A.M. and Past Master and current member of the Bethesda Lodge #142 A.F. and A.M. in Gilmer. Steve received a fifty year pin for his years in the Lodge. He served as a medic in the Army Reserve from 1965 to 1971. Steve began his funeral service career at Levingston Funeral Home in Groves, Texas in 1962 before moving to Gilmer in 1974. He was Past President of the East Texas Funeral Director’s Association and served on the Texas Funeral Director’s Association Board for 2 years. Steve was awarded Funeral Director of the Year and the Ed C. Smith Lifetime Achievement Award by the East Texas Funeral Director’s Association. Steve was also awarded a fifty year pin from the Texas Funeral Director’s Association for his many years of service to his profession. He was also very involved in the community and was past president of the Gilmer Rotary Club where he was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow recipient. Steve also served on the East Texas Yamboree Board for several years. He was a devoted member of First Baptist Church of Gilmer, where he was active in the Workers Sunday School class. Steve was dedicated to his family, his profession and his community, always willing to help and to serve. His legacy will live on through the loving family he leaves behind.

Steve is survived by his wife Karen Murray; son, Troy Murray and wife Jimi; daughter, Lynn Murray; three grandchildren, Kade Murray, Katelyn Perryman and Brettlee Murray.

Steve passed away Monday, November 16, 2020 in Tyler.

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Todd has been with Croley and Grubbs-Loyd Funeral Homes for over 28 years, and in the

funeral service industry in East Texas for over 36 years. He has served on and is still active on

many local, civic, state, and administrative boards and committees. Todd enjoys spending time

with his wife, children, grandchildren and family. His hobbies include umpiring for high school,

and collegiate showcase games for over 30 years; fishing, hunting, serving in civic and fraternal

organizations, is a Past Master of Bethesda Masonic Lodge in Gilmer and serving friends as a

part of the community.

Kyle Jefferson Barton was born in Dallas, Texas and is a 1990 graduate of South Garland High School. Kyle attended SFA and Richland Community College and finished his education at The Dallas Institute of Funeral Service in 1997. 

Kyle married Stacey Dawn Bigler Barton in 1997. They currently reside in the Kilgore area. They have two daughters, Bailee Nicole who is currently in her second year of Law School at Texas Tech and Carter Grace who is in her Junior year at Kilgore High School.

In his free time Kyle enjoys spending time with family and friends and playing golf. He and his family are members of First Baptist Church in Kilgore.

Since 2015 Kyle has been a staff member at Croley Funeral Homes serving the families of Gladewater, Gilmer, Hawkins and Diana.

For the last 10 years Kyle has been involved with TFDA serving on the Board of the East Texas Chapter in several capacities.

Brandon Glade was born in Salt Lake City, Utah and moved to Clear Lake, Texas as a child, where he graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1996.  After graduating from Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Services, in Houston, TX, in 2001 as a Funeral Director and Embalmer, Brandon returned to Salt Lake City, Utah to work for the funeral home founded by his great-grandfather.  He furthered his education by getting a Bachelor’s Degree in Business, followed by a Master's Degree in Education.  In 2017, Brandon and his family moved to East Texas to pursue a career in teaching in the funeral profession.  He joined the Croley Family of funeral directors in September of 2021.

Brandon is married to Nicole and together they have four children, Landon, Carter, Afton and Houston, as well as two dogs, Gus and Lilo.  Brandon and his family attend church at the Mount Pleasant Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  Brandon enjoys spending time with his family, watching high school and college football, supporting The Pride of Pittsburg Marching Band, playing golf and spending time at the beach.

A native of Mississippi, Keith has enjoyed most of his life on the Gulf Coast and in Southeast Louisiana of Ponchatoula. A 1979 graduate of Commonwealth College of Science and 1986 graduate of The National

Foundation of Funeral Service. Keith has held a Funeral Service License since 1979 and has enjoyed serving families for more than 50 years. Keith holds a license to practice Funeral Service in Mississippi, Louisiana and

Texas.

Keith, his wife Heidi and their dog Walter are boating enthusiast and avid Ole Miss fans. They spend as much of their free time on the Tickfaw River in Springfield, LA as possible and traveling to watch the Rebels play.

Bobby’s life, and occupation, is ministry. When, as human beings, we experience the passing of a loved one, it is not uncommon for our lives to unravel. His desire is to bring some level of ease to those experiencing bereavement as they learn to navigate the rigorous terrain of life after loss.

He served in the USAF for 10 + years until he was medically retired in 2014. Bobby has a Bachelor’s in General Studies with a minor in Psychology and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Southern New Hampshire University in 2022. He obtained his Funeral Director’s license in 2017 and his Minister’s license in 2018.

Whether at work or outside of work, Bobby endeavors to spend his life helping his neighbor.

Staci was raised in the Gilmer community, where she was a 2002 graduate of Gilmer High School. She married her husband Adam Wright, of the Harmony community, in 2009. They have three daughters, Landri, Harper, and Carter. Staci worked in the banking industry for over 10 years in the Tyler, Austin, and Plano areas. Her family made the decision to come back to their “roots” in 2016 so that their 3 children could start school at Harmony. Staci came to Croley in August of 2021. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, watching her girls play sports, and volunteering her time with the church and many organizations the children are involved with. Their family are members of New Beginnings Baptist Church of Gilmer TX.

Amanda is a resident of Gladewater, Texas and 2002 graduate of Gladewater High School. She currently resides with her 2 children David and Ally as well as her German Shepherd Ansell. Amanda is a proud sports, FFA, and Honeybear parent that keeps her busy when not at the office. She stays active volunteering for various school functions and committees along with traveling with her daughter to show goats for Gladewater ISD’s AG department. Amanda has been our office manager since October of 2021 with a total of 12 years of office manager experience. A lifelong resident and alumni, Amanda knew it was the right choice when she was given the opportunity to serve the community; she both grew up in and loved, by working for Croley Funeral Home.

Michele Griffith has been a resident of Diana since she was four years old, with the exception of her time spent in Germany and Georgia with her husband of 35 years,  Sonny, who was in the military. Michele is an active member of Walnut Creek Baptist Church.  She has three grown children, Teresa, and husband Brad who live in Florida; son, Dale and wife Casie who live in Plano, and daughter Vanessa who lives in Diana.  She also has three grand boys, Ethan, Jack and Houston, who make her heart full and always put a smile on her face.  Michele loves to be with her family, and loves spending time with them. Her newest pastime is watching her youngest grandson play "WeeBall".

Michele loves being able to help families when they need it the most.  

Charlotte was born and raised in Irving, Texas coming from a funeral service family. She is a 1988 graduate of Dallas Institute of Funeral Service and has been licensed for over 30 years as a funeral director/embalmer. She is also a licensed insurance agent specializing in preneed advance funeral planning. She is the Past President of the Texas Funeral Directors Association, Irving Yellow Rose AMBUCS.

She currently is President of Irving AMBUCS, serves on several committees for the Texas Funeral Directors Association, is a longtime member of Plymouth Park Baptist Church and Irving Chapter Order of Eastern Star #777. Her career and community service has awarded her with many professional awards such as the

distinguished Yellow Rose of Texas by Governor Greg Abbott, Funeral Director of

the Year for East and North Texas Regions in 2022. She is the mother of son,

Corey. Taking care of others with compassion and care is very important to Charlotte.

Carol joined the staff at Croley Funeral Home, Hawkins in 2017 after working in the floral business for seventeen years. She and her husband, Bo have a son Scott and daughter, Stacey. Most weekends they can be found spending treasured time with their grandchildren and great grandchildren. She and Bo are members of First Baptist Church, Hawkins where she taught Sunday School for many years.

She will be honored to help you in any way possible to ensure you and your family member receives honor and respect while in our care.

Deedra Dent was born in Gadsden, Alabama and came to Texas when she was a year old.  She is a long-time resident of Ore City, where she grew up and attended school, graduating in 1969.  She retired after 32 years of working for US Steel in Lone Star and has worked with Croley Funeral Home and Grubbs Loyd Funeral Home for the last 13 years, working as a receptionist as well as helping as an attendant for evening visitations.  Deedra holds a position on the board of the Ore City Cemetery and is a member of the Ore City First Baptist Church.  She was married to George Dent, who passed away in 2009.  Deedra enjoys bass fishing (she fished professionally for 8 years with Bass'n Gals) and working on her property in her spare time.

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Tim Marshall is a fifth generation Gilmerite, graduating from Gilmer High School.  He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science Law Enforcement and Police Science from Sam Houston State University.  Tim served over 30 years as a Police Officer at a major Texas city.  He has been married for 50 years to an Upshur County native.  Tim is proud to say that he has served the families in their time of need for over a decade with the staff of Croley Funeral Home.

Phil Fowler has been a part of Croley Funeral Home for the past six years.  Phil was born in Gilmer and graduated from Gilmer High School in 1970 and attended Stephen F. Austin University with a degree in social work.  After working for the State of Texas in Austin, he returned to Gilmer to join his family's business and later opened and operated a successful Pest Control service for 30 years before retiring and joining Croley's staff.  Phil is active in the community serving in the Rotary Club of Gilmer, the East Texas Yamboree as a board member and past president, the Upshur County Literacy program, the Chamber of Commerce, City of Gilmer on various boards and as an active member of the Gilmer Church of Christ.  Phil assists the Croley team as a funeral assistant, purchasing and inventory and transportation.  Phil states "The ability to assist families in their time of need and officiate services, if needed, is considered by me as a ministry that serves God by serving others."

Jimmy McClelland is a native of Gilmer and graduated from Gilmer High School, class of 1971 and then went on to graduate from Tyler Junior College in 1973.  Jimmy retired from Eastman Chemical Company in Longview, Texas in 2020 with nearly 30 years of service.

Jimmy is married to Beverlee and they have a daughter, Victoria Wolf, and a son, Luke McClelland, as well as five grandchildren.

Jimmy and Beverlee are members of the First Baptist Church of Gilmer.  In his spare time, Jimmy's hobbies are spending time outdoors, hunting, fishing and golf.

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