Frankie Cripps

Frankie Cripps

Frankie Cripps, 73, of Grand Tower, went to be with the two loves of his life, his Lord and Savior and his wife Sandy, on Monday, May 18, 2020, at his home.

He was born on Nov. 11, 1946, in Grand Tower, the son of Frank and Mary Lee Etta (Wright) Cripps. 

He married Mary Sandra McClure on Oct. 3, 1970, in Grand Tower. She preceded Frankie in death on April 30, 2015.

Mr. Cripps is survived by his son, Shannon (Lisa) Cripps of Savannah, Ga.; daughter Jill (Michael) Crane of Grand Tower; six grandchildren, Aaron Lobato, Mathew (Sarah) Cripps, Lindsay (Quentin) Crane-Goode, Michael (Abbey) Crane, Nicholas Crane and Shannon Crane; great-granddaughter Grace Elaine Cripps; brothers John (Murk), Jim (Rose), Francis; sisters Colleen Baltzell, Bernadine (Vernon) Thompson, and Ellen Robertson; and several nieces and nephews.

He also leaves his fur babies, Buddy and Tinkerbell.

Mr. Cripps was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; an infant grandson Nathan Crane; brothers David and Mark; and a sister, Rosemary.

Mr. Cripps served his country on active duty with U.S. Navy from 1965 to 1969 and then as a SeaBee Reservist until 1992.  

He retired in August 2000 from the Union Pacific Railroad after working 29 years and nine months.  

He enjoyed hunting, fishing and just being in the outdoors. He especially loved spending time with his grandchildren, they were his pride and joy and he, their beloved “G-pal.” 

After  Frankie and Sandy retired, they spent their winters in Wiggins, Miss., and traveled throughout the Gulf Coast. During their travels they made many friends in Mississippi, Alabama and Florida.  

He was a kind and gentle soul who never met a stranger and was never at a loss for words.  

He was an ordained deacon, serving his Lord at the First Baptist Church in Grand Tower for many years. His last words were, “I gotta get up and walk” and walk he did right through the gates of Heaven.

A memorial service will be announced at a later date.

Memorials can be made to the Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease Foundation or to the Leukemia Foundation. 

Meredith Funeral Home in Carbondale assisted the family with arrangements. To leave a story or memory, visit www.meredithfh.com.

The Gazette-Democrat

112 Lafayette St.
Anna, Illinois 62906
Office Number: (618) 833-2158
Email: news@annanews.com

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