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. 

Youth Group at USA Presbyterian Church 1956

A group of nice looking young folks at a gathering at the Crayne USA Presbyterian Church in 1956.

Left to right: Jimmy Keeling, Kenneth Kirk, Tommy Jones, Linda Kirk and Ann Agee.

Oh, for those good ole days and good simple times of yesteryear, when a gathering at your home church was a looked forward to event.

In Memory Of

Two old Crayne people died this past week.  They were both born and lived their childhood in Crayne.  Both families moved away in later life for jobs.

Nell Boyd Perryman,84, died July 17th, 2012.  She has been in bad health for a long time.

She was the daughter of William and Narlene"Babe" Boyd.  The family lived in a little white frame house on the corner of Hwy. 641 and the little road today named Stalion Dr.  The house was torn down many years ago.  Her Mom and Dad lived in Crayne all their lives.

She was married to Oliver Preston "Pick" Perryman, who also lived in Crayne.

They were regular members of the Crayne Presbyterian Church until Nell was too ill to attend.

Maurie Houston Kirk, 90, died suddenly Thursday, July 19th, 2012 at his home.  He had just got home from the visitation of Nell Perryman.

Houston was the son of Allie and Vera Kirk, of Crayne.  He was a combat veteran of World War II, who received both the Purple heart and the Silver Star.

He and his wife, Virginia, were regular members of the Crayne Presbyterian Church, he will be missed so much.

 It was always a joy to see and talk to Houston.  He was such a nice person, and always had something good to say.   I always considered him a hero, for the service he gave to his country.  A farewell salute to Houston.  I will miss you.

Crayne School 1957-58

1. Mildred Paris, Teacher, 2. Tracy Woodall, 3. Kathy Lynch, 4. Eddie Maroney, 5. Yetta Sue Hicks, 6. Jarvis Morrow, 7. Hazel Driver, 8. Maurice Woodall, 9. Jane Alvis, 10. Cathrine Rorer, 11. Jerry Holloman, 12. William Tabor, 13. _____, 14. Jerry Collins, 15. Kerry Wayne Crider, 16. Lawrence Richardson, 17. Shelby Belt, 18. Jim Binkley, 19. Wilson Rushing, 20. David Tinsley

Crayne School Upper Grades, 1952-53

Front row, left to right:  Charlotte Coleman, Gladys Parmley, Joyce Winters, Phyllis Perryman, Nell Nipper, Linda Tabor, Donna Perryman.
2nd row: Teacher Mrs. Evelyn Bragdon, Harold Collins, Luise Mills, Nancy Chandler, Patricia Winters, Frances Paris, Barb ara Chandler, Tommy Jones, William Rushing (standing behind Tommy and Paul), Paul Rushing
3rd row: Louis Bell, Billie Travis, Charles Rushing, Ralph Driver, Perry Brookshire, Keith Shewcraft, Kenny Kirk, C. W. Stevens, Wallace Crider

Crayne School 1952-53 - Lower Grades

Mrs. Mrs. Mildred Paris, teacher.  Front row starting on left with hands in pockets.  Douglas "Toby" Binkley, Frances Rorer, Clinton Bigham, Johnnie Woodall, Paulett Rushing, Donnie Walker, Jesse Tyner
2nd row: Faye Beard, Darlene Cox, Larry Clement, Jackie Winters, Deloris Rushing, Sandra Hill, Melba Butler, Fern Driver, Douglas Fox.
3rd row: Sheryl Ferguson, Dottie Parmley, Carol Nipper, Shirley Nunn, Ginger Faulks, Ronnie Ordway, Linda Jo Baird, Harold Cannon, John Parr Cochran.
4th row: Brenda Travis (with headscarf on), Earl "Butch" Jackson, Viva Drive, Mary Lou Chandler, Douglas Woodall, Carlton Shewcraft.