Vicksburg, MS
Funeral Home
Visitation
9:30- 11 am, Thursday, March 5, 2026, First Presbyterian Church
Service
11 am, Thursday, March 5, 2026, First Presbyterian Church
Obituary
Military Service Tribute, Honors, and Obituary:
Recognizing and Honoring a Fallen Hero, Who Served Within the Mississippi National Guard. “Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten”.
In recognition of our proud American tradition of honorable service which our military men and women have given to their country and our State, we honor a Fallen Hero. Our nation, our state, and the National Guard Association of MS (NGAMS) regard the memorializing of its retired military deceased as an honorable and sacred obligation.
Another great Soldier and Fallen Hero has been released from duty, passed from our ranks on February 26, 2026, and has moved on to his heavenly home. Retired Brigadier General George Sherman Cronia, Sr, age 99, Vicksburg, MS, who had served in the 106th Engineer Battalion and the 168th Engineer Group has departed and gone to a better place with our good Lord. General Cronia had worked fulltime with the 168th Engineer Group.
It takes a special person to serve within the military for their country, giving up their family time, comfort, and safety for their country, ultimately for all Americans to enjoy their freedoms, safety, and way of life. We now applaud you for your service to our country. A special message from General Douglas McArthur remains applicable today for our servicemen that have passed: “Old Soldiers never die; they just fade away”.
Rest in Peace Soldier. We applaud your patriotism, sacrifices, and brave efforts in serving our country and your family for their support of your service. We thank you for your service. Without your efforts and your families’ support, our country would not stand so boldly, shine so bright, and live so free.
You now have earned a rest, so go fly with the Angels, go rest high on that mountain; your work on earth is done. Go to heaven a-shoutin’ Love for the Father and the Son.
Another great Soldier has gone home, “Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten, Soldier for Life”.
Obituary, Visitation, and Service Details:
Brigadier General (Retired) George Sherman Cronia, Sr. passed away on February 26, 2026, at the age of 99.
George was born on November 23, 1926, to Albert Delmas Cronia and Inez Wilson Cronia in Vicksburg, MS. He graduated from Carr Central High School in 1944 where he played football, basketball and track. He enlisted in the Army in 1944 and after basic training joined the 82nd Airborne until 1946. He then enrolled in USM and graduated in May of 1950 with a degree in P. E. He taught at Brooklyn High School and coached until he joined the 106th Engineers and served 13 months in Korea. After coming home, he went back to USM in 1952 and received his M. A. in P. E.
During the summer of 1952 he met and married his wife of 73 years Lerlyne Hammond Cronia. They lived in Clinton for six years where George was boys head basketball coach. He also helped with football and track. There they had four children, two girls and two boys. George coached the Clinton Arrows to their 1955 State Championship. He then became athletic director and head coach until 1959, at which time he and family moved back to Vicksburg and took a position as Administrative Assistant for the 168th Engineer Group. In June of 1982 George retired after serving 38 years for his country. He loved his country and his flag, always letting you know the correct way to display and dispose of the flag properly.
He received the following honors and awards. The Army Commendation Medal, The Meritorious Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Korean Service Medal, United National Service Medal, American Theater Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Parachutist Badge, Armed Forces Reserve Medal and Armed Forces Reserve Component Achievement Medal.
George was active in the affairs of his home town. Helping out before and after his retirement. He was very active in coaching and volunteering at YMCA in youth football. He helped coach at Porters Chapel basketball and Saint Al basketball. He and his wife were members of First Presbyterian Church and dearly loved serving his church and the Lord. He was an avid outdoors man and loved his bird dogs.
George was preceded in death by his parents, his oldest son George, Jr., his beloved grandson George Will Conway, a brother Albert D. Cronia and nephew Chip Cronia.
He is survived by his wife Lerlyne Cronia; sons James Michael Cronia and Steve Pierce (Debbie); daughters Kathy Cronia Conway (Eustace) and Cindy Cronia Ladd (Marty); grandchildren Cowan (Mary-Hendrix), Tace and Kiger Conway, Zack Fitzgerald, Jason Pierce and Emily Roberts (Ryan); great-grandchildren Cora and Preston Roberts, Jaylen, Carter, Cameron and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at First Presbyterian Church, officiated by Rev. Tim Brown. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the hour of the service. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Gardens Cemetery.
The family would like to express their many, many thanks to his Guardian Angels Tammy Hatchett, Terri Harrison, Andrea Carson, Catina Saddler, Joyce Johnson, Frances Gregory, Tashiba Hatchett, Donna Hatchett Jones, Gladys Thomas, James Scott, Jerrad Gleese and the staff of Enhabit Hospice.
Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 1501 Cherry St., Vicksburg, MS 39180 and Jacobs Ladder, 267 YMCA Place, Vicksburg, MS 39183.