God in his love and mercy came down at 4:30 a.m., May 3 and took a dear lady from this earthly home in the beautiful Dry Creek valley to her eternal home where there is peace, joy and happiness forever.
Willie Jim Ayers Cripps is now united with her husband, Carl Cripps, and the son she loved so much, Gary Cripps, her father, John Ayers, and her mother, Callie, who died when their only daughter, Willie Jim, was only seven years old.
Without hesitating for one moment she took the “helm.”
Except for the past few years when she was in failing health, this precious lady was the mother to her brothers, Edward, Joe, and Brigham, her father along with her own family of Gary, Dwight, and Jerald.
She cooked, washed clothes, planted gardens and did many other chores like sewing, and ironing, etc. Which kept the Cripp’s household one big happy family.
Her flowers and front porch was one of the most beautiful in the valley. There were no weeds in her vegetable garden. She canned vegetables in the summer for the winter months.
Yes, you might say that she was a home person. She truly loved her home, her family, her grandchildren, and her neighbors.
Today she is resting from her work here on earth.
Her family was so good to her, and they are going to miss her being at the Ayers homeplace for some ninety-one years. The community will miss just knowing that she is gone.
We are so thankful that we have known Jim for all these past years. She has been a blessing to the Dry Creek valley answering knocks on her door and helping those in need from dark and on into the night.
May God bless and keep the Cripp’s family.
Relatives from out of the county who attended the funeral of Mrs. Cripps will be in next week column. Her funeral was at Love-Cantrell Funeral Home, May 5.
It was good to see and talk to Edward Frazier, Willie Thomason, Mike Foster, Ivadell Randolph, and Elaine Garrison at Kilgore’s Restaurant Monday afternoon.
Lisa Cripps and Judy Kimbrell visited their mother, Louise Frazier, Tuesday evening.
Those on the sick list; Tom Snow, Joe Ayers, Bobby and Mary Joines, Anthony Wright, Jimmy Midgett, Kenny Edge, Carroll Thomas, James Keyt, Edward Frazier, Harold Elrod, Lottie Cook, Jane Vandergriff, Willete Scott, Ruth Vandagriff, Richard Jones, Faye Frazier, Rithia Frazier family, Cripp’s family, Pat Keith family, Joe and Carolyn Dickey, Sarah Walker, Linda and Bob Fuston, Helen Burt, Connie O’Conner, Mae Risner, Audrey Owens, Heather Miller, and Louise Frazier.
The above names need our prayers, card or some kind deed. We also pray for our troops and all in the military along with our president and congressmen and women.
Look ahead events:
Always Sunday School at 10 a.m.; Sunday worship at 11 a.m.; Evening fellowship service at 4:45 p.m.; and evening worship at 5:15 p.m.
June 5,7- VBS
June 29- Homecoming at Dry Creek Baptist Church, celebrating 125 years.
June 29-July 3 - Centrifuge for the youth at Ridgecrest North Carolina. Please see Chip and Tracy Sparkman for details and to sign up.
July 1, seniors to Amish country.
July 16, Patriotic service, special music.
July 13-16, revival at Dry Creek Baptist Church.
“Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and your mother”. which is the first commandment with a promise... that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”  (Eph.6:1-3).