The good Lord wanted to hear something funny, so he took Steve Croomes home on Monday, May 11, 2015. He was 59 years old.

A memorial service was planned for 2 p.m , Sunday, May 17, at First Christian Church on Market Street in Athens. The family received friends at 3 p.m. in the Athens State University ballroom. A private interment is scheduled for a later date in New Orleans.

Steve was born on Nov. 2, 1955, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to Betty and the late Edgar Croomes. The family moved to Limestone County soon afterward.

By profession, Steve was a lawyer. He graduated from Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law in 1980 and opened his own family law practice in Limestone County the same year and never left. He remained a member in good standing of the Limestone County Bar Association for 35 years.

He was an elder of First Christian Church, where he sang in the choir and played the piano and organ. The members of First Christian embodied the family of God for him and he loved them all. He loved God and was awarded a master’s degree in theology from Spring Hill College in 1996.

By advocation, he lived life to the fullest. The world never ceased to amaze him. He felt at home anywhere and would return with countless new friends, whether it be in New York or Cuba – no one was a stranger.

New Orleans was his second home. He traveled there often and spent as much time as possible immersing himself in the life. He befriended many people there as a member of the Krewe of Endymion and celebrated Mardi Gras with them for more than two decades.

As a member of the Madison Rotary Club, he participated in many benefit activities to end polio and provide clean water to third-world countries. He believed strongly in the mission of the Rotary Club and was voted the Madison chapter’s president for 2015.

He also believed strongly in justice, prompting him to join the Limestone County NAACP. He served on the organization’s executive committee for many years and provided legal services.

He had a penchant for never calling it quits, even when faced with adversity – it was a quality his family and friends admired. What we know about him is what endeared him to us. He was a fearless leader, a fierce friend, a loving uncle, caring brother and devoted son. Nothing mattered more than his friends and family.

His loss leaves a large hole in the community that nothing but the smart remarks of his nieces and nephews can partially fill.

He was preceded in death by his father, Edgar Croomes, in 1989.

Survivors include his mother, Betty Croomes; brother, Scott Croomes and wife Nancy; sister, Kristin Keimig and husband Ray, all of Athens; nephews, Ben Croomes of Auburn, David Croomes and wife Ashlee of Burbank, California, and Matthew Keimig of Birmingham; nieces, Aundrea Blythe and husband Alex of Toney, and Rebecca Croomes of Athens.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Rotary International’s Polio Plus Fund at www.endpolio.org/donate, or mail checks to Rotary International, One Rotary Center, 1560 Sherman Ave., Evanston, Illinois, 60201.