Karen Sue Crippen's Obituary
Karen Sue Crippen, called “Susie” by family and friends, was born in Memphis July 19, 1945. She passed away suddenly Monday, June 6.
Karen graduated from both Whitehaven Elementary School and Whitehaven High School. In recent years she resided at Kirby Pines and very much enjoyed activities and events with special friends and attendants in her assisted living area.
Susie amazed all the people who knew her, as she overcame the difficulties of her cerebral palsy to participate fully in life. She loved people and social gatherings. She became an accomplished needle worker whose embroidered tea-towels and cross-stitched pictures were treasured gifts. Many children were lucky to receive baby quilts that Susie had stitched with love!
As a life-long Methodist, first at Whitehaven Methodist and later at Emmanuel United Methodist, Karen especially appreciated the calls, cards, visits, gifts, and many attentions from her church family.
Puzzles, books-on-tape, Hallmark movies, coloring greeting cards or books, and decorating a Christmas tree for each season or holiday delighted Karen, as did any connection with her family members or many friends, who will always remember her laughter and good cheer.
“Susie” taught us all how better to live. She is preceded in death by her father, C. B. Crippen; mother, Florence Wilder Crippen, and her beloved brother, Richard. She is survived by her brother David, sister-in-law Barbara, niece and special caretaker Lisa Crippen Schlesinger (Danny); nephews Greg Crippen (Amy), Andrew Crippen (Gillian), Scott Crippen (Shaundra); five grand-nephews, a grand-niece, and a great-grand niece.
The family requests any memorial contributions to be made in Susie's name to be sent to Emmanuel United Methodist Church or to the charity of the donor’s choice.
The family will receive relatives and friends on Friday, June 11 from 10:00 am until 11:30 am at Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Avenue in Memphis. The burial will follow privately.
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