Dorothy Crockett, long-time Arkansas conservative, has passed away

JONESBORO, Ark. – A mainstay in Arkansas Republican politics passed away on Monday, September 30, 2019.

Born on May 20, 1935, Dorothy Crockett attended high school at Milan High School in Milan, Missouri. Life would bring her to Osceola, where she spent many years working as an office manager in a doctor’s clinic.

But her spirit wanting to help others was most well known in her work with the Republican Party. Crockett was very active with the Mississippi County Republican Committee. She served as both secretary and chair of the committee. However, her influence was felt beyond the borders of Mississippi County.

Crockett became a well-known figure across the First Congressional District of Arkansas. She served as a delegate to the Republican National Convention three times – in 2008, in 2012, and in 2016, where she was bound by party rules to be one of 16 delegates to support the eventual 45th President of the United States – Donald J. Trump.

“She was a pioneer,” Congressman Rick Crawford told NEA Report late Monday. “She was Republican long before it was cool. She did the work in the trenches that very few people will. A great organizer and a very passionate conservative who loved her country. Any Republican in this part of the state serving in elected office today owes a debt of gratitude to Dorothy. She helped pave the road for us all.”

Many fond memories filled Crockett’s Facebook profile. One of her longtime friends and fellow Republican Committee member, Jerry Halsell, treasured his time spent with Crockett. He said one of her favorite stories originated when Lt Col Oliver North (Ret.) was guest speaker at the Greene County Lincoln Day Dinner in Paragould in March, 2012.

“We had a pre-dinner, private Meet & Greet offsite at a local member’s house,” Halsell said. “She really couldn’t afford the extra money and was riding with others and didn’t want to make them feel obligated or inconvenienced but had purchased his book she really wanted signed.”

The group talked Lt. Col. North into staying and taking pictures with some of the guests. Sure enough, one of those guests was Crockett. With her late husband and her son both having service histories, it made the moment extra special, Halsell said.

“She knew everyone in every county committee in the state, especially the 1st District,” Halsell said. “All I had to do was mention Dorothy’s name and I was invited.”

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Jim, who passed away on January 26, 1992.

While her Republican family was large and included many across the district, her pride and joy was her family of six children and her grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements have not been announced as of this publication. Once they are set, we will update this section of the story.