Ora Elizabeth “Cricket” Logan
In Loving Memory
Ora Elizabeth “Cricket” Logan
1927 – 2016
Former Springfield, Missouri resident Ora Elizabeth Logan passed away on Aug. 2, 2016 in St. Louis. Lovingly known as “Cricket” to family and friends, she will be dearly missed by all who knew her.
Ora was born on February 26, 1927 in Kansas City to Fred and Alberta (Northcutt) Watkins. She spent most of her early years in Springfield surrounded by the rest of the Bedell and Crittenden families. Ora graduated from Lincoln High and married Irving B. Logan. They had 3 children together, Irving Jr., Elizabeth and Norma Jean. In Springfield, they were members of the historic Pitts Chapel Methodist Church (formerly known as Wilson’s Creek Methodist Church) where the family participated in many of the church’s groups and activities. As a young mother, Ora chaired the Polio Campaign and served as the last PTA President of Lincoln School prior to desegregation.
Upon moving to St. Louis in the late 1950’s, Ora attended business school, Forest Park Community College and the University of Missouri – St. Louis. The family joined Samaritan United Methodist Church where she remained a well-loved and faithful member until her passing. She worked in a variety of social service roles, including as a Tenant Relations Advisor at Pruitt Igoe for the St. Louis Housing Authority and as a Day Care Licensing Representative for the State of Missouri.
Aside from her family and church contributions, one of Cricket’s greatest achievements was being a founding member of the St. Louis chapter of the Springfield Reunion Club. She was instrumental in the early years of the organization, establishing the scholarship fund and serving as president of the club for many years. That fund has now provided assistance to more than forty college bound students. Many of the scholarship recipients have subsequently contributed to the fund to assist others in need.
Some of Cricket’s other interests included extensive genealogy research – both individually and with Dr. Kay Lederer of SMSU, Missouri State University’s Route 66 Oral History Project and more recently as part of the Missouri History Museum’s African American History and Genealogy Society. Cricket also enjoyed listening to music, gardening, keeping up with current events, remaining in contact with friends and family across the country and sharing home cooked meals as she gathered together with her family.
Cricket is survived by her close knit family, including her children, Irving (Sharon) Logan, Elizabeth Logan Calvin and Norma Jean Rhodes; grandchildren, Omar Logan, Cherese (Marlon) Collins, Phyllis (Stanley) Barnes and Jayda Rhodes McClinton; several great grandchildren, Jawan, Courtney, Tyson, Asia, Zavier, William, Victoria and Micah; extended family, including Margarite and Penny McClellan and family, Anna Bedell and family, the Logan family, Virginia Castro, Joe and Jon Edwards; as well as many lifelong friends, including Katherine Bronson and the family of Bert Adams.
A memorial service will be held in St. Louis on Saturday, August 27 at Asbury United Methodist Church, located at 4001 Maffitt Avenue. The service will begin at 1:00 pm. An additional graveside service will be held in Springfield, MO on Friday, September 2 at 11:00 am at the Historic Lincoln Memorial Cemetery, located at 2315 East Chestnut Expressway.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Scholarship Fund of the St. Louis / Springfield Reunion Club to continue the legacy of higher education that Ora began more than 40 years ago. Please make checks payable to: St. Louis Springfield Reunion Club 2322 Gardner St. Louis, MO 63136
Dearest Elizabeth & Phyllis,
Please receive my sincere and deepest sad condolence following the suden passing away of your lovely mother and grand mother Ora Elizabeth Cricket Logan.
Be assured of my support and prayers for her soul to rest in peace in the Lord’s Kingdom, especially on 08/27/& 09/02/2016 at the mémorial and graveside services for her.
Sincerely and friendly,Yours
Victor Emmanuel Djomatchoua Toko
Phyllis, Liz
It is with great sadness to learn of the loss of your grand (mother) Ms. Cricket. She was a wonderful spirit who I will always remember with a smile. I had the pleasure of spending time with her in the late 90’s and she was always so kind and happy. I just smile at the thought of her. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers always but especially during this time. May God Bless and comfort you all. Love Robbin (roomie) .
To the family of Ora Crickett Loagan,
You have my heartfelt sympathy and condelences. Crickett will be missed by all who knew her & loved her more. I will always remember the time were organized The Park Celebration as One Unit and One Family.
I love her and I’m really going to miss her voice and smile. May God wrap his loving arms around each & everyone of you at this time. I love you all. Jane
To the Logan family you have my deepest sympathy to a very wonderful lady, I miss calling her and talking with her, Then I pass the phone to my mother Katherine Bedell and they would have a good time talking about Springfield Park Day. I know they both will be miss. Take care and God bless you all. Love Anna Bedell Smith
Dear Liz,
Victor just informed of the passing away of your mum. I am happy that she went away quietly and without suffering. Please receive my sincere condolences. I will certainly keep you and your family in my prayers. I will also pray for her soul to rest in peace.
May God give you the strength to go through these difficult times.
Peace and love
Bernadette
We love you, but realize GOD loves you best. He did not want you to stay here and suffer, so he took you home to rest with some of your family and friends. GOD is sooooo awesome. We thank the Logan family for sharing such a special person named “Cricket” with us as one of our family members.
My condolence to the Logan family. She brought joy to those around her and her faith and grace live on in her children and grandchildren. She may be gone from this world, but she will never be forgotten.
Our family send’s our heartfelt sympathy to the family. She was a great lady and we will truly miss her. She was always smiling and happy, and had such a positive attitude all the time. Our blessings are with the family and we will continue to keep you in our prayers. May God give each of you peace and strength through this difficult time.
God Bless,
Jeannie and Matt
I have known Ms. Cricket all of my life and her influence still resonates with me today. She was funny, witty, intelligent, compassionate and fearless. Her legacy will continue to resonate with me and and all of us who were blessed to have known her. RIP Queen and I pray that I see you again.
I am so sorry to learn that Ora passed away earlier this month. My deepest sympathy to her whole family. What a sweet and wonderful dear woman she was. We worked together licensing day care facilities for many years, along with Norma Jean for several years also. I would run into her occasionally, but hadn’t seen her in several years, so I appreciated seeing the video of her and family online. I know how much she will be missed.
Irv and Sharon,
Deepest sympathy to you in the loss of a beloved mother and mother in law. She was obviously an exceptional woman ahead of her time in her many accomplishments .
Roma Carey
Irv:
We feel fortunate that we got to meet your mother several years ago when she was a guest at one of our St. Louis Route 66 Association meetings. What an interesting personality and history she had.
We send our thoughts and prayers to you and your family. Hope to see you soon.
Friends,
Tommy & Glenda Pike, Springfield, MO
Liz, and Phyllis:
I had the great pleasure of meeting Mrs. Logan recently. She was bright, funny, sweet, and quick witted. She carried so much history with her and was so eager to share it- I could listen to her for hours. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting with her and chatting with her. She was sharp, and she had spunk-in my opinion a winning combination that you just don’t see that often anymore: except when its passed down, like it has been to you both. May God be with your entire family. You are forever in my heart and prayers.