Joan Patterson Cripe, 84, of Lakeland, Florida passed away peacefully to her heavenly home on June 24, 2019 in Grand Rapids, MI. Her husband, Roger Cripe, was holding her hand as she went to meet Jesus Christ. Joan was born January 13, 1935 in Jackson, TN. She attended the University of Georgia, where she was a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority. After graduating in 1957 she taught elementary school and established her own kindergarten. Joan’s true career became real estate and she was an agent and broker with licenses in both Michigan and Florida. Joan was an active member at her church and the Daughters of the American Revolution organization. She was chairperson of her Sewing Circle and is an award winning bridge player. She loved to travel and has visited 50 states and more than 18 countries, recently visiting the Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao Islands. Joan was blessed with a large and loving family. She was a married on June 15, 1957, and was a loving wife to Roger for 62 years. The two spent their years together raising their four children in Alabama, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Florida. Joan is survived by her husband, Roger and children; Jodie (Phil) Southland, John Cripe, Mitchell (Lynne) Cripe, all of Grand Rapids, MI, Mary Margaret (Clark) Hull, of Tampa, FL, nine grandchildren; Kristin (Rick) Highland, Shannon Cross, Jason (Jennie) Cripe, Dana (Adam) Rider, Dylan and Logan Cripe, Hannah, Mary Grace and Katie Hull; eleven great grandchildren and many other loving relatives and close friends. Funeral service will be held Friday, July 5 at 1:00 pm at Cascade Christian Church with Pastor Jill Forton presiding. Visitation will be an hour prior at the church. Memorial contributions can be made in her honor to Cascade Christian Church. Funeral arrangements handled by O’Brien-Gerst Funeral Home.
We are so very saddened to know that one of the sweetest ladies I have ever known has passed away. She was a blessing to so many people, a kind-hearted, loving, thoughtful, and precious gem in God’s treasury of saints. We know she is free now from the earthly restraints of age and infirmities, and we rejoice for her knowing she is with our Heavenly Father and His children. However, that does not lessen the loss of her sweet presence in the grieving lives of her family and friends. May God give an extra measure of His comfort and peace to her faithful husband, Roger, her children and grandchildren, and all of her family and friends as they walk through this valley of grief. She will be sorely missed and never forgotten. Until we meet again, Joan will be dearly held in our hearts and minds.
Oh Roger, we are so sad, but happy that you are with family,
Nancy and Ken Pennington.
Our condolences are inadequate. Joan was and is an angel.
We will miss Joan, Roger. May you be surrounded by loving family and friends during this difficult time.
So sorry to the whole family for your loss, my prayers will be with you.
Ken and I are so sorry to hear about Joan’s death. She was such a wonderful giving person. We will miss her terribly and always treasure the friendship we had with her.