Lost Another old Crayne Citizen

 Oliver Preston Perryman

December 21, 1925 — January 5, 2024, Evansville, IN

 

Oliver Preston Perryman, 98, of Evansville, IN, formerly of Marion, KY passed away Friday January 5, 2024 at Envive Healthcare in Evansville, IN.  

Oliver was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Willie Mae Perryman; his wife of 66 years, Nell (Boyd) Perryman; brothers, Jerry, Lynn and Gene and sisters, Helen Cole, Donna Young, Carol Bragdon and Doris Kirk.

Oliver was a United States Navy Veteran of WWII.

 

 He worked at International Harvester and moved to Gary, IN in 1956 to work at U.S. Steel and he retired 28 years later.  

 

He then returned to Marion, KY and drove a bus for Crittenden County Schools for several years and was a member of Crayne Community Church.  As a young boy he lived in Crayne.

 

He is survived by his children, Joe (Debbi) Perryman of Lake Station, IN; Jan Perryman of Evansville, IN and Jon Perryman of Evansville, IN; grandchildren, Jennifer (Bryan) Petsche of South Beloit, IL, Dan (Carrie) Perryman of Valparaiso, IN and Mandy (Barrett) Cody of Radisson, WI; great grandchildren, Breanna Perryman and Bristol Cody and sisters, Jenny Webb and Phyllis Nichols both of Providence, KY.

Services are scheduled for 11 AM Saturday January 13, 2024 at Gilbert Funeral Home in Marion, KY with interment in Crayne Cemetery.  The family will receive visitors from 5-8 PM Friday and from 9 AM until service time Saturday at the funeral home. Rev. James Driver will be officiating.

Seed, fetilizer group building center at Crayne

 

 

Virginia Kirk Obituary

The little community of Crayne lost another one of it's early citizens.  Her smiling face will be missed.

Allie and Lora Bradford Home

Another old Crayne homeplace that was torn down in October 2015.

I believe this was the home of Allie and Lora Bradford.  It sat across from the old Walter Brown Store.

Herb and Mallie Cruce Home

One of Crayne's old land marks has recently been torn down.  The home where Herb and Mallie  Cruce used to live.  They used to keep it clean and neat, as all Crayne residents did their homes, or most did anyway.

Once a beautiful little county home, but over the past 15 years it had been misused and neglected to the point that it wasn't worth trying to restore to live in.

It sat next to the Crayne Post Office.

The week of April 2016 was it's final days.  It is sad to see the old homes that used to be a living part of the little community of Crayne disappear from the landscape.

Not much of the original town is left any more.

Remembering Martha Nell Woodall Byford

Martha Nell Woodall Byford, was born and raised near Crayne. 

Always a big supporter of the Crayne events.  She was treasurer of the Crayne Cemetery Association until several years ago when she retired from the duty, and she always attended and helped with the annual Crayne Fish Fry.  She will be missed.

 Here is her obituary. 

Remembering Ruby Barfield

Another one of our Crayne folks has passed away.  Although Ruby lived closer to the Chapel Hill neighborhood, she was remember and loved by the citizens of Crayne too. 

Ruby Evelee Barfield 100 of Marion Kentucky passed away Wednesday November 4th 2015 at Crittenden County Health And Rehab Center .

She is survived by 1 Daughter Susan Barfield of Marion KY. and three Nephews Jimmie Bigham , Clinton (Gail) Bigham both of Marion KY. and Morris (Jeanette) Yates of Madisonville KY.

Mrs. Barfield was preceded in death by her Husband James Barfield in 1984, 1 Brother and 4 Sisters and her Parents Melvin Clement Bigham and Wm. Fidella.

Funeral services will be held 1:00pm Friday at Gilbert Funeral Home with family receiving visitors from 11:00am until service time Friday at 1:00pm. Burial will follow at Chapel Hill Cemetery.

Remembering Rena Mae Beshears

Crayne lost another one of her older and cherished citizens this past week.  Here is her obituary.
Rena Mae Beshears, 89, passed away peacefully at Deaconess Hospital in Evansville, with her family surrounding her Monday, August 24, 2015.

                                                                                                 
 Rena Mae was born on November 27, 1925 in Marion, KY to Henry and Ruth Robertson Vanhooser.

She attended Marion High School.

Was married to her husband Roy Beshears for 49 ears and they were farmers.

 She is survived by her sister, Juanita Faye Henelsen; sister-in-law; Evelyn Vanhooser, Nephews, David Vanhooser, Mike Vanhooser, Greg Heneisen; Nieces, Melinda Bisch, Shelia Nally, Terri Beckman, Patti Savage, Melissa Daughtery.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband; Roy Beshears; Brother; Bill Vanhooser and Sister; Louise Williamson.

She was a faithful member of Crayne Community Church.

Burial will be in Pleasant Hill Cemetery.

***

Rena Mae will be missed by many, and an empty spot will be noticed each Sunday at the Crayne Community Church where she attended church.

Rose Ann Retiring

Today I visited with friend and Crayne postmaster, Rose Ann Bebout, for the last time as our Crayne Postmaster.

 Tomorrow, Sept. 30th, will be her last day.  As she said in her letter to all of us, it will be a bittersweet day for her, ( and also for all her patrons). 

So sad she is leaving, but happy for her future with her family and friends.

Indeed, she has been a blessing to her community of Crayne for all these years.  For the Post Office was the hub of the community, the meeting place.  It's here where the beloved "Crayne Day" was started all those years ago.   With Rose Ann and Peggy as the leaders.  

So many good memories.

So today, I shed a few tears and some laughs and had some of her cake.  

Best Wishes always my friend, you will be missed behind the counter.

Remembering Two Old Crayne Friends

Marvin Duane Ordway, 79, of Crayne, died Aug. 2, 2014 at his home.

He was retired from the U. S. Air Force and was a member of Crayne Community Church.  He is survived by a son, Michael Ordway of Texas; a brother, Carl Ordway of Marion, a sister, Mary Evelyn Ordway of Marion. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Virgil and Iva Scott Ordway.

A celebration of life service was held at Crayne Community church.

This is a picture of Marvin at the church picnic in Oct. of 2013.  He was a good friend to all his neighbors in Crayne and everyone was always greeted with a friendly hello or a wave of hand as he went by.  

Rest in peace Marvin, you will be missed very much.

     *************************************************

Robert "Bobby" Rorer, 70, of Marion died July 28, 2014 at his home. 

 He is survived by a twin sister, Frances Rorer of Marion.  

Bobby was preceded in death by his parents, Robin and Mary Adams Rorer; a brother, James T. Rorer; and a sister, Mary Catherine Rorer.

 I had known Bobby most all my life, as he and Frances started to school at Crayne the same year that I did and we continued going to school together for the rest of our school years.  

Bobby attended Crayne Community Church and was one of our Church family.  He is buried in the Chapel Hill Cemetery near the rest of his family.  Rest in peace Bobby.

Crayne Cemetery Cleanup

The 3rd Saturday in March, weather permitting, is the annual Crayne Cemetery Cleanup.  Today we had a pretty day.  The sun was shinning and for once the wind wasn't quite as strong as it usually is. 

Thank heavens there usually isn't too much to do, for there is never over 3 of us there to do all the picking up of trash and wind-blown flowers and worn and faded wreaths.

Here Frances Paris Teer, is trying to make a decision on whether this flower arrangement has seen better days and perhaps needs to be put to rest.

 C. W. Stevens another board member is picking up some wind blown flowers.  C. W. is our cemetery care keeper, as he takes care of the mowing and weed eating and also with the selling and placement of the grave plots.

We are all getting older and worry about what will happen to the cemetery once we are gone.

Early Crayneville Depot

The old Crayneville Depot and loading lot.  This picure was made in the early 1900's.

Spar gravel is seen in piles on the right.  Other items shipped from the depot was timbers, and tobacco.  

This first depot was burned by the Night Riders in 1908.

Another one was built back later,  But as far as I know know pictures have even been found of it.  About all the people that remember this later Depot are gone now.  My mother, Evah Lee Brantley,  remembered catching the train here with her Mother, Ethel Brantley, and they would ride the train to the Repton Depot, get off there and walk to the Cave Spring community to visit family and friends.  Come evening time they would walk or ride a cousin's mule back to the Repton Depot, caught a returning train and ride it back to Crayne.

In 1942 this second depot was razed by the Illinois Central System and they would rebuild back only a waiting room and small shed for freight.

Lone Star School Folks

Lone Star School located past the Crayne Cemetery on the Lone Star School Road.  The students that attended there were friends and relatives of the people that lived in Crayne and were considered Crayne Folks.

In 1947 - 1950, Clara Mae Woodall was the teacher. 

She later married Norman Belt and they lived not too far from the Crayne Cemetery for many years.  Their pretty old homeplace is gone now.

This picutre was made in 1957.  The school would close soon afterwards.

The teacher  was Gladys Hillyard.

Back row of boys: J. E. Hunt, Donald Ray Rushing, Charles Rushing.

Front row: Anna Hunt, Martha Strong, Donna Fay Rushing, Bobby Rushing.

Merry Christmas from the Crayne Post Office

Our postmaster, Rosa Ann Stalion Bebout.  Always smiling and always ready to help you.  She's been a part of the Crayne post office history for many years now.

December 2013.  

Landmark Ordway Home Burnt

On the early morning of Sat. Sept. 28, 2013, the old homeplace of W. H. and Julia Ordway was burned.  It had been a well-known landmark for many, many years. 

 

The old house was the home place of W. H. "Bill" and Julia Ordway.  It was thought to be at least a hundred years old.   Bill and Julia lived there until they died, Bill died April 10, 1925 and Julia died Dec. 23, 1935.

Their daughter, Ida, lived there until her death in Jan. 22, 1967.

The house had set empty all these years, but was a familiar sight to all that traveled Hwy. 641.  And considered a part of the history of the area.

 

 All that is left of the familiar homeplace just outside of Crayne.  

The cause of the fire hasn't been stated, but it is thought that it must have been deliberately set as there was no electricity and it was a clear night when it happened.

This picture was taken Oct. 4th, 2013.

Church Picnic Sept. 22, 2013

Crayne Community Church held their annual picnic at Riverside Park (the old Dam 50 site), on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013.  It was a beautiful day.

Steve Underdown stands by the original old Dam 50 Reservation marker that had been saved since 1980 when the Dam was destroyed.  It's good to see the sign back home again.

Some wonderful Crayne folks enjoying the day and the company are Virginia Kirk on left and Linda Tabor on the right.

Good friends and good neighbors.

Rena Mae Beshears and Marie Conditt enjoying the day and some good foods.  These two ladies are best friends and also neighbors in the Chapel Hill neighborhood.  Both Crayne Church people.

Oliver "Pick" Perryman recently moved to Evansville, but he and his son, Jon, still come to the Crayne Community  Church.   A part of the Crayne community for many years.  Was married to Nell Boyd. 

New Cumberland Presbyterian Church Building

The Crayne Cumberland Presbyterian Church was destroyed by lightning during a late afternoon storm on Monday July 26, 1943.  The blot struck directly into the bell tower and the blaze burst forth immediately.
(Crittenden Press, July 30, 1943.)

All contents of the building were saved including the piano and pews but the structure was a total loss.

I have wondered many times if there was a picture of this early church building.  I have never been told by anyone about seeing a picture of it, or even how it looked.

The new church was completed in Feb. of 1949.  It was built of concrete block construction. 

 The dedication service would be held Sunday, February 27, 1949, with Rev. Eugene Lindsey in charges of the services.  Talk by Harry Haynes on the Church and Rededicating of lives.  Rev. James Houston Jones gave the opening and closing prayers.

This vintage photo of the new block church building shortly after it was completed in 1949, was shared with me by long time friend and Crayne neighbor, Harold Cannon.

 My early child hood memories are from attending this new church.  Attended until it closed in the 1970's.

Remembering the Crayne Days

Good memories of Crayne wouldn't be complete without the great memories that were made at the once popular Crayne Day, always held the first Saturday in June.  These pictures were made June 1991. 

Every parking spot available would be filled with cars.  Old Crayne residents that had moved away planned their vacation as to be in town for this much looked forward to event.   Friends and family gathered together to visit for awhile.  This picture was made in my parents yard, Evah Lee and Billie Travis, you can see the old school house in the background.  At this time both buildings were still standing.

 Cousins, Evah Lee (Brantley) Travis, Clinton Crowell, and Ester (Holeman) Rogers.
Their mothers, Ethel Brantley, Anna Crowell and Ester Holeman were all Duffy sisters.

Aunt Wilma (Deboe) Sutton and daughter, Bernice Jennings. 

All dear friends and family, and all gone now, but my cousin, Bernice Jennings, who lives at Fredonia, Ky. 

Such wonderful memories of our little town.

Some School Memories

The eighth grade graduation of years ago were a special time.  Mrs. Annabell Alexander made our very special.  The graduation would take time about being in the two church in Crayne, one year the Cumberland Presbyterian and the next year at the Presbyterian USA.

In May of 1958 it was the Presbyterian USA Church's turn to have it.  There would be several practices marching in and learning where to stand and what to say if you had a part.  Music would be played on the church's piano, the traditional graduation march. The church would be decorated with local grown spring flowers that someone would donate and maybe some crepe paper ribbons.  It was always very festive and exciting.  Parents and friends would all come to the ceremony.   As I think back now I appreciate so much the time and efforts our teacher and our dear parents gave to make this a special time in our lives.  

Although I am not in this graduating class, I was a part of it, as I played the piano for them to march in to, and we were all friends as we were all together in the "big room" at Crayne.

The big night for these 8th grade student in May of 1958.  Left to right front:  Janie Driver, Doug Binkley, teacher Annabell Alexander, Ronnie Ordway, Larry Binkley.  The two in back: Carol Collins and Larry Bragdon.

The Public School Diploma that was given to each 8th grade graduate.

It was your admission to the High School.  Your future.

Days Of The Crayne Grocery Stores

Remembering the good old days of our hometown of Crayne.  The days when all you needed was in walking distance of your home.   Here are a few of the old grocery stores. 

Dorroh Bros. store was located near the railroad track on the northern end of our community. 

James Franklin Dorroh came to Crayne and went to work for a Mr. Glenn.  He soon purchased the building and stock of good, and he spent his life in this business.

Later his sons and daughter operated the business from around 1892 to the late 1940's.

Pictured left to right:  Eugene and Robert Dorroh.

This is the Brown's General Store, Walter and Lois Brown.

 Dully Baird is resting on the bench. 

Those wonderful old wooden store benches, what memories they bring back. 

This building burned in 1959.