Obituary
Regina Maria Crockett
August 20th, 1939 - October 7th, 2024
With hearts full of love and memories, we celebrate the life of Regina Crockett, who passed away peacefully at the age of 85 on October 7th, 2024, in Miami, Florida, with her loved ones by her side. Regina was born on August 20th, 1939, in Beiersdorf, Germany, and lived a life full of strength and resilience.
Regina’s life began during the hardships of war. She would often joke about how she and her twin sister were kept in kitchen cabinets to stay safe from the cold and how her childhood fun came from playing in puddles left by mortar craters. Though she made light of these memories, they were a reflection of the perseverance that carried her through life, shaping her into the tenacious and lionhearted woman we knew.
After a precarious journey immigrating to America, Regina began her young adulthood in Cincinnati. She found herself out of her element but was determined to adapt, working as a cosmetologist while attending night school to perfect her English. It was during this time that she met her future husband, who offered her a ride on a rainy evening while she was waiting for her bus. Together, they moved to sunny Florida, where Regina continued her education, raised two boys, and balanced her career while providing enduring support to her husband throughout his health challenges. In her later years, Regina flourished as a grandmother, pouring every bit of love and encouragement into her grandchildren, ensuring they always felt cherished and safeguarded. Her unwavering dedication to her family not only created a life rich in love but also left a lasting legacy of wisdom and fortitude for generations to come.
Regina was preceded in death by her sister, Eva “Kathy” Schmidt-Geouge; her son, Thomas Crockett; her husband, Louis Crockett; her granddaughter, Cindy Vaughn; and her brother, Karl Schmidt.
Regina is survived by her son, Ronald Crockett, who recalled her words: “I said I was fine but never said it didn’t hurt.” Her daughter-in-law, Lynda Kusnierz-Crockett, remembered fondly Regina’s advice: “Take care of each other” and “Dry your eyes.” Her granddaughter, Candice Whitley, and her grandson-in-law, Joshua Whitley, shared something Regina once told them: “When an angel misses you, they toss a penny down, sometimes to cheer you up. So don’t pass by that penny. It may be a penny from Heaven that an angel tossed down to you.” Her grandson, Cameron Price, reflected: “Any achievement I had, whether it was finishing a meal, decorating her home, or graduating school, Grandma always shared her praise by telling me, ‘You did good.’ Now, I can confidently say, ‘Grandma, you did good too.’” Regina is also survived by her brothers, Reinhard Schmidt and Gerhard Schmidt, and her sister-in-law, Theresa Buerkle.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The American Legion Post 28, Key West Grace Lutheran Church and School, or the Wounded Warrior Project. Each of these organizations provided invaluable support to Regina and her family throughout her years.