Geraldine 'Gerry' Crisp

PENN YAN, New York – Geraldine ‘Gerry’ Crisp, of the Manor Nursing Home, Penn Yan entered Heaven on July 15, 2016, shortly before midnight, and what a glorious homecoming it must be! As she recently told her niece, she could hear the bells ringing, and she knew she would meet her loved ones again soon. Born August 6, 1922, in Sandstone, West Virginia, to Owen and Dora Richmond Smithson, Gerry was educated in local schools, graduating from Sandstone High. In October 1943, she married Wilburt ‘Wib’ O. Crisp in Alderson, West Virginia. Following Wib’s discharge from the army, they moved to Cedar Vale, Kansas, then returned to West Virginia before settling in Richmond, Indiana, where they built their home and raised a family of three children. During those years, Gerry was a homemaker, and later was employed by Avco Corp., until moving to West Virginia in 1969, where she and Wib farmed until his death in August 1971. She then returned to Richmond, where she worked as a Head Start Teacher, retiring in 1994, at the age of 72. In 2012, illness necessitated her move to Penn Yan to live near her daughter, Jean MacAlpine and son-in-law, Richard. During her retirement, Gerry traveled with her children, sisters, nieces, nephews, and special friends. She owned her own home at a time when it was difficult for women to obtain mortgages; she worked two jobs for many years prior to her retirement and enjoyed her independence and ability to make her own decisions. Spunky, feisty, independent, proud, stubborn, strong - these were the words used most often to describe Gerry by those who knew her. She seldom asked for help, nor would she accept any; she did things her way. Gerry loved her home and took great pride in being able to welcome friends and family who came to visit her. In her day, she gardened, canned what she grew, kept the cookie jar filled with after school treats, made her children’s clothes as well as her own, sent money home to her mother, taught Vacation Bible School, was active in her kids’ school activities, and attended church regularly. While living in Richmond, she was a member of the First Baptist Church and later on, Central Baptist Church. Gerry lived to see most of her grandchildren married, and to celebrate the births of 17 great-grandchildren, who adored her. She loved and spoiled her cats, was an avid bowler and a formidable Scrabble player. She enjoyed gardening, sewing and crocheting, especially afghans for her children and grandchildren. Gerry was a devoted and loving mother, wife, daughter, sister, aunt and friend to those who embrace her in Heaven and those who will miss her here on earth. Gerry left behind to mourn her, her two surviving children, Jean (Richard) MacAlpine, of Penn Yan and Edward (Karen) Crisp of Nashua, New Hampshire; 12 grandchildren, Jeannie (Tim) Diebis of Wyoming, Michigan, Laura Bell of Lafayette, Indiana, Thomas Bell of Indianapolis, Indiana, Megan (fiancée, Chloe Kupfer) Bell of Asheville, North Carolina, Colleen Hayward of Nashua, New Hampshire, Steven Crisp and Sam Crisp, both of Nashua, New Hampshire, Joseph (Tabitha) Crisp of Richmond, Indiana, Kathleen (Scott Garmon) Crisp of Portland, Oregon, Andrew (Angela) MacAlpine of Ashton, Maryland, Carolyn (Matt Rounds) MacAlpine of Oneida, and Daniel (Denise Grogan) MacAlpine of Oneida; and 17 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, Danny Ray (Linda) Smithson of Emporia, Virginia, and sister, JoAnn (Harold, deceased) Acord of Collinsville, Virginia; and several nieces and nephews. Besides her husband and parents, Gerry was preceded in death by her daughter, Patricia (Tom) Bell; two brothers, Earl (Goldie, also deceased) Smithson and Carl (Loretta) Smithson; sister, Jewel (Jack) Hayes; two infant sisters who died before she was born; as well as several nieces and nephews. The family wishes to thank all the staff at the Penn Yan Manor, as well as the physicians who cared for Gerry, for the loving care she received while she was there. She gave them the best of her sass and spunk! A celebration of Gerry’s life will be observed at Doan & Mills Funeral Home, 790 National Road West, Richmond, Indiana at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, July 23, 2016. Visitation will be from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Burial will be in Earlham Cemetery following the service. Memorial contributions may be made to the Manor Crest Foundation, c/o Clinton Crest, 411 Clinton St., Penn Yan, NY 14527. Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com. ‘Don’t you hear the bells a-ringin’ Can’t you hear the angels singin’ In the far off great forever just beyond the shining river When they ring those golden bells for you and me When they ring those golden bells for you and me.’ It’s a glory hallelujah jubilee!

Geraldine 'Gerry' Crisp

August 6, 1922 - July 15, 2016