Agnes Elois “Mitzi” Brown Crocker

Agnes Elois “Mitzi” Crocker passed away peacefully to her Lord and Savior at the age of 95 on February 9, 2026, with her devoted sons by her side.

Mitzi was born on November 5, 1930, to Travis Wilburn Brown and Alice Elois Hatchett Brown in Taloga, OK. At the age of six, her family moved to Donna, Texas. There she spent her childhood playing in orange orchards, swimming in irrigation ditches and singing and learning to dance like the famous dancer Mitzi Gaynor. Thus, the reason for her nickname, Mitzi, that stuck with her for the rest of her life! Tragedy struck at an early age with the death of her father. Later her mother remarried Clifton Willis who she deeply loved and admired. With this union, she acquired step siblings as well.

On June 20, 1952, she married the love of her life, Arthur Van Crocker in Harlingen, TX and moved to Crocker Ranch in Kenedy County in 1953 and later to Santa Rosa Ranch. There she cherished raising her five children in the ranching way of life and where she learned to ride horses, hunt, fish and work cattle.

In the mid-1960s, the family moved into Riviera. There Mitzi was very involved in PTA and manning the concession stand at football games and guaranteed that her children’s school parties had the best sweets and refreshments.

Once her grandchildren arrived, Mitzi’s love and devotion to her family intensified even more. Granny as she is called showered her love to all with delicious meals and sweets, sleepovers and loving songs and limericks singing songs like This Little Light of Mine, Victory in Jesus and Zacchaeus Was a Wee Little Man. To this day, she was still singing her Happy Birthday to You Song to loved ones on their birthdays.

A phenomenal self-taught singer and musician, Mitzi could sing a cappella, ad lib songs and play a song on the piano just by hearing it! An incredible cook, she could make anything taste good from store bought groceries to wild game at the hunting cabin which usually included her famous homemade biscuits and gravy.

Mitzi’s absolute claim to fame was her loving devotion to Jesus. A faithful church attendee, she read and studied the Bible daily, prayed unceasingly during joyous times, triumphs and tragedies and served as the church pianist at each church she attended throughout the years.

A devout prayer warrior, Mitzi always had a hot meal and homemade dessert ready for anyone who needed it. She donated baked goods regularly to her church and loved literally and spiritually feeding people.

Mitzi is preceded in death by her husband, Arthur Van Crocker, her sons Ray Dale and George Kim Crocker, her daughter Sandra Elois Mosby, her parents, her siblings Leon and Jack Brown and Patsy Hancock, her step-siblings George and Louise Willis, half-brothers Daniel and Jerry Willis, son-in-law Raymond Mosby, daughter-in-law Gayle Crocker, granddaughter Hope Mosby and grandson-in-law Michael Mayberry.

Mitzi is survived by two sons, Alan Vern Crocker (Therese) of Riviera, TX, and Travis Vance Crocker, DDS (Lynn) of Phoenix, AZ; as well as daughters-in-law Melanie Crocker of Riviera, TX, and Marva Crocker of Refugio, TX, as well as her step-brother Earnest Lee Willis and her brother-in-law Archie Hancock.

Mitzi adored her numerous “grands and great-grands” as she lovingly called them. Her grandchildren include Vern’s: Camille Crocker Mayberry (Michael of Kingsville, TX), Megan Crocker Unterbrink (Travis James of Corpus Christi, TX), Ashton Vern Crocker (Carla of Kingsville, TX) and Seth Alan Crocker (Riviera, TX); Vance’s: Leah Katelyn Crocker Bordow (Portland, OR) and Laura Austin Crocker (Phoenix, AZ); Kim’s: Matt Crocker (Riviera, TX) Jason Crocker (Danielle of Bixby,OK), and Jared Crocker (Riviera,TX); Sandra’s: Melissa Mosby-Lyne (Glen of Tulsa, OK); and Dale’s: Michelle Hoad (James of Burnett, TX) and Stephani McGirr (Koli of Leander, TX)

Mitzi’s great-grandchildren include Camille’s children: Jack, Ian, Ava, Evan, Liam, Zoe and Quinn Mayberry; Megan’s children: Elena, Beckett, Ayres and Skyler Unterbrink; Leah’s children: Ollem, Beau and Ames Bordow; Melissa’s child: Kyle Douglas Cox; Jason’s daughter Reagan Crocker; Michelle’s children: Michael, Christopher and Avery Hoad, Nicholas, Ryan and Mia Hage, and Jenna (Zachary) Martinez; Stephani’s children: Ellie, Emily, Ren and Melina McGirr. 

Mitzi’s great-great-grandchild is McCoy Hoad.

Mitzi will be missed by many in her community, especially those who faithfully helped care for her, Maribel Caballero, Gina Mulder, Bessie Trevino, Carmen Galvan Cruz, Irma Galvan Cruz, and Diana Diaz Perez.

Visitation will be Thursday, February 12, 2026, from 5-8 p.m. at Turcotte-Piper Mortuary in Kingsville. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, February 13, 2026, at Turcotte-Piper Mortuary. A graveside service will follow at Riviera Cemetery with a celebration of life afterward at her home.

In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions to Harbor Hospice in Portland, TX or in keeping with Mitzi’s mission to call people to know and love Jesus, take this as your sign to open your heart and go to church in her honor.