By Nick Sellers | Staff Writer

Former Rotary Club of Madison president Steve Croomes succumbed to brain cancer Monday night, May 11 after a brief battle with the disease, current Rotary president-elect Gene Pfeiffer confirmed.

Croomes, an Athens resident, practiced law in Athens but was active in community affairs and numerous charitable endeavors in the city of Madison.

“As a president he led us for the better part of the year, and we’re deeply indebted to his leadership,” Pfeiffer said.

Pfeiffer mentioned the monthly rice and beans giveaway held at the Salvation Army thrift store on Hughes Road as one of the benevolent projects Croomes instituted as president of the Rotary Club of Madison.

“He was a very community-conscious individual,” Pfeiffer added.

Croomes studied and graduated from Samford University in Birmingham and was a longtime Athens resident. He was a member of First Christian Church in Athens; members there cared for Croomes during his illness, which started in February.

A memorial service for Croomes is set for 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 17 at First Christian Church, which is located at 400 West Market Street, Athens, AL, 35611. A reception/visitation at the Athens State ballroom will follow the service.