Obituary of Lorraine Gilda Crittenden

Lorraine J. Crittenden, 70, of Cullowhee went home to be with the Lord and her mother Thursday, February 9, 2017. A native of Bryson City, she was the daughter of the late Wilbert and Bertha Coleman Jones. She was a member of the Women’s VFW Auxiliary of Bryson City, the First Baptist Church of Spartanburg, a lifelong member of Morningstar Baptist Church of Bryson City, and the NAACP. She had a passion to teach and mold others. She was an accomplished pioneer in her quest for near perfection. She integrated King College in Tennessee as she was the first African American Female to attend. Before retiring from the NC School System, she was appointed head of the English Department at SCC and led the Freshmen English Department at WCU. Lastly, she was published for completing a Duke Study about slavery in WNC. She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Robert Crittenden; two children, Tisha and Micky (Gail) Crittenden; one special grandchild, Kalisi Crittenden; and her brother, Michael Jones of Concord, NC and lifelong resident of Bryson City; a sister-in-law Phyllis Crittenden Anthony (Harold); brother-in-law, Harold Crittenden Jr.; Sister-in-law Peggy Bolton (Pheron). Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm Friday, February 17, 2017 in the chapel of Crisp Funeral Home. Rev. Jean Hall will officiate with burial in Swain Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 pm Friday at the funeral home.