Mabel Davis Cruzan being awarded the Robe of Achievement, 1994.

“She was a great source of encouragement.”

Mabel Davis Cruzan was born in Cumberland County, NJ. She graduated from Bridgeton High School and then attended college in Salem, WV for a year and a half. She was married to the Rev Earl Cruzan for 58 years at the time of this award She held membership in many different churches including, Milton WI, Marlboro NJ, Waterford CT, Boulder CO, Dodge Center MN, Adams Center NY and Westerly RI.

She worked as a nurse’s aide and also had was a part time church secretary. Sher served her community by participating in cancer drives, volunteering for the Red Cross Bloodmobile, and working on the election board.

In the Milton church she always served wherever there was need. She was active in the Afternoon Circle as the president and she also chaired the Funeral Lunches Committee. She also hosted a biweekly small group Bible Study in her home for five years. Mabel did volunteer work at the SDB Center in Janesville, WI for several years. She was a member of the Milton Church Growth Force, helped with the Fair Booth Ministry, conducted a weekly Bible study at a retirement complex and hosted many including SCSC teams, associaltional, denominational, and international SDB guests.

In her earlier years she worked with the young people at Boulder and was VBS supervisor in Dodge Center, where she also reorganized the Junior Christian Endeavor. She also lead the Junior Choir and taught Sabbath School at Adams Center.

Mabel was a role model and mentor for other ministers wives. She also was always welcoming to guests and she phoned and visited the sick and elderly, nearly always bringing homemade baked goods. She also phoned church members on their birthdays.

She was the secretary of the North Central Association and was also on staff at Pre-Con. She served on the Women’s Board for six years, helped arrange evening receptions and the Womens Banquet at Conference. She was the Chairman of the Women’s Interest Committee for several years and served on the post-Conference retreat staff.

As a member of the Council on Ministry for nine years (two as secretary) Mable had the opportunity to help formulate policy for the education and training of SDB ministers. Near the beginning of her term she worked in the Certificate Pastor Training Program the forerunner of the Training in Ministry and Extension (T.I.M.E.) plan, which she now supports.

Along with her husband she started the Milwaukee SDB Church. In order to attend services the two have driven 120 miles round trip each Sabbath for eight years. She taught a Primary Sabbath School Class there as well.

She supported her husband in his work as the Extension Pastor of the Milton church, traveling throughout Wisconsin and Illinois to visit lone Sabbathkeepers and new contacts.