Old Crayne Folks

These wonderful old pictures were shared with us from Brennan Cruce, the grandson of Gene and Thelma Cruce.  Gene and Thelma started their married life at Crayne in the 1930's and 1940's.

They lived in the house that is located across the road from Calvary Baptist Church.  When the home was built, it was made with a little grocery store in the front part and their living quarters in the back.  There was even a gas pump out front.  This is a picture of Thelma and Donald by their store/home.  You can see the ice cream truck in front of the store.  Picture would have been made in the summer of 1940.   (This house is still standing today.)

This is a picture of Richard Cruce, standing, and little brother, Donnie, made in 1940.

The store in the background is Dorroh's Grocery Store.

When the picture was made, I'm sure they didn't realize they were saving some Crayne history by the buildings in the background.

This is a picture of Richard Cruce, would have been made in the early 1930's.

 Notice the trees in the back ground, they have their trunks white washed.  Something that was done a lot in these times.  I'm not sure if it had a reason other that sprucing up your yard for the summer months or not.

It's wonderful to see these old pictures of the Crayne community and the families that lived there.

Snow of January 1977

What a monster of a snow man.  I've always wondered how they built it so tall.

The creator's of this one of a kind snowman are left to right:
Kayle Malcom, son of Paul and Peggy Malcom. (Peggy now deceased)
Jeff McKinney, son of Gerl McKinney and Sheryl (Ferguson) McKinney.
Mike Stone, (now deceased)
Jennifer Matz,(now deceased) daughter of Gary and Sheryl Matz. 
Bridgett Cannon, daughter of J. E. and Betty Cannon. (J. E. now deceased)

Paul Malcom, Kayle's dad is the only one of the families that still live in Crayne. 

Crayne Post Office for December

Rose Ann Bebout, the Crayne Postmistress, adds a little holiday spirit to our Post Office Sign.  It's nice to see as you are driving by. 

The Post office is about the only original thing left in the community now, and it has been updated through the years.

  Although there are three churches here now, they are not the same as they were years ago.  Only one is even the same building, but it has changed so in appearance that it doesn't looks the same.  Where it used to be a Cumberland Presbyterian congregation, it is now a Baptist denomination, and the people that attend are from other parts of the county.

Inside the Post Office lobby a cheerful Christmas Tree welcomes you and behind the tree are the original post office boxes that used to be in the store many years ago.  A comforting sight for us old Crayne citizens to see.  All that is left of a once busy grocery store/post office combination.

Christmas at Crayne Community Church

Just to share a couple of pictures made at the church.
December 9, 2012

We have a Chrismon tree each year.  All the ornaments are Chrismons ornaments hand-made on white background, with gold accents.  Each one has its own special Christian description. 

The Poinsettias are In Memory of deceased loved ones of the church.

The large red Poinsettia on the left with red wrapping is for Maurie Houston Kirk, brought today by his family.

The smaller one on left with green wrapping is in Memory of Loma Stone.

The peppermint Poinsettia on the right is in Memory of James Robert Dorroh.

Good-bye To An Old Friend

David Cannon, Another old-childhood friend has passed away.

 Growing up in Crayne, the Cannons were our next door neighbors.   We saw each other everyday and would holler across the empty lot to see what the other was doing.  From our kitchen widows at night we could see each other in front of the sink, washing dishes or doing something at the kitchen sink, we could even wave at each other from the windows. 

We played the usual childhood games then, Cowboys and Indians, Hide and Seek, Kick the Can, croquet, and many other wonderful games that went with growing up in the late 40's and 50's. 

After David married they moved to Evansville, where he had a job at Whirlpool and  we lost contact for many, many years.  But I'll always remember the days of growing up at Crayne and David being a good friend.

His obituary reads:  David A. Cannon, 70, passed away Dec. 1, 2012 at Deaconess Gateway in Evansville.  He was born July 20, 2942 in Crittenden County to Lexie and Eula Cannon and graduated from Crittenden County High School.   David retired after 25 years at Whirlpool where he was a supervisor.  He enjoyed woodworking and spending time with his son.  He loved fishing with his son and brother Harley.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Peggy Joyce, son, Mark,; brothers, Clifton, and J. E. Cannon and his sister, Dorothy Harmon.

David is survived by his son, Rick Cannon, grandsons, ; brothers, Harley Cannon and Harold Cannon.  His funeral service will be at Titzer Family Funeral Homes, and burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery.

Familiar Faces

Familiar faces of the Crayne Community for many years were Seth and Velma Ferguson, owners of Ferguson General Store, located right in the heart of the community.  This picture was made in February 1980 as Seth was retiring from being the Postmaster.  Velma and Seth were keeping the store open but they wouldn't be operating the post office.

Seth said he had lived in groceries stores all his life.  His father operated a general store and he got his first sampling of the business in 1936 in Dycusburg.  He came to Crayne in the early 1940's and worked a while at the Dorroh Brothers' Store.  Then in 1942 he bought out George Long and went into business for himself.

The old country grocery stores, what wonderful memories they bring back as a child growing up in Crayne.  The 5-cent pop-cycles on a hot summer day, the ice cold drink we would get out of the old cooler with ice in it, and sit on the bench of the front porch of the store and enjoy our treats.  Everything you needed could be found at the Ferguson's store.  

It's getting about the time now they would be receiving all the special treats for Christmas time.  Chocolate covered peanuts, coconut Bon-Bons, orange slices and nigger toes, (sorry but this is all we ever knew them by for years),  fruits would include apples, oranges and once a year treat - tangerines.  All in open topped boxes or crates.  Can't you smell them now?  I sure can.  

Church Group

Group of fine folks after service one Sunday morning at the Crayne Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

Picture was made abt. 1955.  My Mom, Evah Lee Travis is on the left.  She was Secretary/Treasurer for the church at this time and is holding her books.

  The rest in the picture are standing next to Mom's left - Ernest Brown, Bill Elkins, Velma Ferguson, Ben Binkley, Vernon Sutton, and Cortis Hill.

Great memories of growing up here and attending church regularly at your home town church.   Times were so much more simpler and easy going than they are now.