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.
