85 year old James Edward “Curly” Cripps of Smithville died Wednesday at DeKalb Community Hospital. He was a retired maintenance supervisor at DeKalb Community Hospital, a World War II Veteran, and an avid baseball fan and softball coach. Cripps was also a member of the Bright Hill Methodist Church. The funeral will be Saturday at 1:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Ernie Dawson and Chad Kirby will officiate and burial will be in DeKalb Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Thursday from 11:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.; Friday from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.; and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the service at 1:00 p.m. Cripps was preceded in death by his parents, Johnny Rosco, Sr. and Potter Laren Taylor Cripps; his wife, Chloa Parsley Cripps; a daughter, Donna Kay Cripps Williams; and a brother, Jerry Cripps. Survivors include three grandchildren, Gina and husband Josh Satterfield, Jayme and husband Nathan Dowell all of Smithville, and Justin Matthew Cripps of Cassville. Two brothers, Johnny and wife Shirley Cripps and Gene Cripps all of Smithville. Three sisters, Jeanette and husband David Glen Dodson of Smithville, Judy and husband M.B. Silcox of Smithville, and Brenda and husband John Arledge of Centertown. Four great grandchildren, Destry and Laradon Wiggins and Izayah and Kylynn Dowell all of Smithville. A son-in-law, Larry Williams & wife Joann of Sparta. Several nieces, nephews, and friends also survive. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. In lieu of flowers please make contributions to the Allen D. Hooper scholarship fund.
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