Johnna Ray Cronk
Johnna Ray Cronk, beloved wife, daughter, sister, aunt, and teacher, passed into the arms of her Savior on October 4, 2023, at the age of 60. She was a resident of Ruston, and a member of Temple Baptist Church.
A Celebration of Johnna’s life will be 11 a.m. Saturday, October 14, 2023, at Temple Baptist Church Chapel in Ruston. Officiating the service will be Rev. Dale Oden and Rev. Mike Ray. A visitation will be prior to the service beginning at 10 a.m. in Temple Baptist Church Chapel under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Ruston.
Born May 13, 1963, in Crossett, Arkansas, to parents Norma and Johnny Ray. Johnna was the youngest of three children and the only daughter. Growing up she enjoyed church and school activities such as children’s and youth choirs, school band (flute), color guard and drill team. Though typically not one for the spotlight, she successfully played the female lead in her high school’s production of the “The King and I.”
In 1984 Johnna began to be courted by the love of her life, Stan Cronk. They met through the Concert Choir at Louisiana Tech University, and shared a talent for music, passion for teaching, involvement in church, and abiding romance. After they were married in 1985, Johnna was confronted by a battle with cancer beginning in 1986 that medical professionals did not expect she would survive beyond fifteen years, at best.
Throughout this time and thereafter, her husband Stan provided her with steadfast support and love.
The couple spent very little time apart throughout their lives together, enjoying cozy nights in and traveling to visit family and loved ones. Their friends and family knew them to share good humor, good food, and great fondness for their nieces and nephews.
Together Johnna and Stan participated in the music ministries of several churches, the Memphis Symphony Chorus, and the North Louisiana Masterworks Chorus. Johnna loved playing handbells at First Baptist Church of Memphis, Tennessee; Trinity Baptist Church of Cordova, Tennessee; and Temple Baptist Church in Ruston. She also enjoyed teaching children in Sunday Schools, Vacation Bible Schools, and children’s choirs.
Johnna received her Bachelor of Arts degrees in Elementary Education and Special Education in 1985 from Louisiana Tech University. She served as a special education teacher in multiple schools in Mississippi and Louisiana for twenty-four years. There is no way to number the children and families whose lives she impacted for the better as she served them, committed to helping students develop and learn.
She is preceded in death by her father, Johnny Langston Ray; father-in-law and mother- in- law, Dale Huffman and Wilma Russell Cronk; and sister- inlaw, Michelle Cronk.
Johnna is survived by her devoted husband, Stan Cronk, PhD, of Ruston; mother, Norma Ray, of Brandon, Mississippi; brother and his wife, Rev. Mike and Linda Ray, of Brandon, Mississippi; brother, Timothy Ray, of North Little Rock, Arkansas; brother-in-law Jim Cronk, of Cordova, Tennessee; sister- in- law and her husband, Connie and Richard Rouse, of Bartlett, Tennessee; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Her legacy will live on through the countless lives she touched and the memories she helped create. We know that she is worshipping at the feet of Jesus now, fully healed.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the Music Ministry of Temple Baptist Church, 1515 S. Service Road W, Ruston, LA 71270.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhome. com.
