Victoria Crosby

A Poet Among Us

by Mitzi Ethridge-Cantrell, Pastoral Care Associate

Victoria began writing poetry when she was a little girl, growing up along the River Mersey in North West England. Born and raised in Cheshire, on the Wirral Peninsula, she was the oldest of three children. “When I was a little girl, I remember my mum taking us to the zoo. I’d write poems about the animals, and I’d recite them to my sister in the bedroom we shared.” Poetry is a natural gift that Victoria uses to both entertain and inform. She flashes a smile and says, “I have a poem for just about everything.” And indeed, she does. Many of her poems chronicle her life in rhyming verse. Poems like I Call Them All Aunties describe the ladies who played a significant role in her youth. The poem is about her grandmother, great aunt, and neighbors who encouraged and supported her as a girl and a young woman.

She was only 19 when she crossed the Atlantic from England to New York. Everything about America attracted her, the movies, the places, and especially the music. “The music there spoke to my soul, that down and dirty Rock ‘n Roll” are lines from another poem marking her journey From the Mersey Sound to the Long Island Sound. She was especially fond of the King of Rock and Roll – Elvis Presley and recently published a collection of six short stories blending facts with fiction and fantasy, titled Close Encounters of the ELVIS Kind. Some of her stories address social issues, including a page of resources, and is available in our church library.

Victoria started her American adventure in NY and for many years planted deep roots there. She and her husband raised their four sons on Long Island, where she became an active member of the City of Glen Cove. There, Victoria used her literary talents to write press releases and articles for the North Shore Leader newspaper. However, it was her poetry that drew the mayor’s attention, and it wasn’t long before she received the title of Glen Cove Poet Laureate, a title she still holds today. A humanitarian deeply devoted to the arts, Victoria also founded the Glen Cove Arts Council, a nonprofit specifically designed to expose low-income students to the arts. After her move to Georgia and the sudden passing of her youngest son, it was named in his memory. The Arts Academy and the Youth choir have been beneficiaries of donations.

Eventually, Victoria and her husband moved south, relocating to Georgia to be near their second son who lives in Lilburn. They found a home in Smoke Rise, and it wasn’t long before Victoria’s byline began to appear in local publications like the Smoke Signal and Our Town Magazine. It was through the Smoke Signal that Victoria met Susan Gilbert, who invited her to attend a service at Smoke Rise. Being a good Anglican, she didn’t know what to think of the Baptist church, but Connie Henry and Jean Weathers also extended an invitation. When she learned the pastor’s name is Chris George (her son who had passed away was also named Christopher George), she considered it a good sign. She took the leap and has been involved in the church ever since.

It’s hard to miss Victoria on a Sunday morning, her lyrical British accent and warm smile are among her finest attributes. Victoria describes Smoke Rise as a church that cares, reflecting on Jesus’ teaching to love your neighbor.

“Feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, helping all who are in need.

These are not just words that are preached, but are followed out in deed.” 

These are a few lines from her poem, Smoke Rise Baptist Church. She regularly attends the Discovery Sunday School class, where she appreciates both the teachers and the friendships she’s made. She also teaches piano at the Arts Academy and leads poetry classes during Summer Camp. On top of that, she serves as president of a local garden club. Even with her busy schedule, Victoria keeps writing. Her first  children’s book, Marty’s Posh Party, a story of table manners and etiquette, was launched in April, as was her newest book of British themed poetry. From the River Mersey to New York and now to Smoke Rise, we’re so happy you’re here Victoria!