Obituary of Etta Marie Crippen

Celebration of Life Our beloved wife and mother, Etta Marie Crippen, was born on October 16, 1941 in Onley, Virginia to the late Milton and Georgianna Ayres. Etta was one of five children and predeceased by her brothers Curtis Ayres and Larry Rowe, and sister Louise Ayres-Pruitt. Etta was a product of the Accomack County Public School system, where she obtained her elementary and secondary education. Etta, affectionally known as, “EttaRee” departed this life on August 3, 2017 at Centra State Medical Center, Freehold, NJ. Etta met the love of her life, Vincent “Spang” Crippen in 1954 and they married on July 24, 1964. To this union, three children were born, Lionel Vincent Crippen, Randall Melvin Crippen and Cynthia Denise Crippen-Cooks. When you saw Etta, Spang was there by her side. She loved her children dearly and would do anything for them. She moved from Onley, VA to New Jersey and found a job performing domestic work for several years. This job was short lived until she got tired and gave her employer a “piece of her mind.” Soon after, she obtained employment with Rokeach Food Corporation where she remained for many years until moving on onto Brockway Machine Bottle and Glass Company. She worked at Brockway until they closed, faced with the strength to transition from manufacturing to administration; Etta launched a new career at Monmouth Department of Transportation SCAT. She enjoyed transporting seniors to various appointments throughout the day and soon graduated from those duties to managing the dispatch for the drivers. She always made sure the drivers were taken care of because she understood the turmoil they had to endure day in and day out. Etta remained at SCAT until her retirement in December 2003. EttaRee was known for her quick whit and “no nonsense attitude.” Everyone who knew EttaRee made sure they didn’t get on her bad side or they would get a mouth full. Etta was no stranger to hard work and instilled this in her children. Her past time include playing cards, bingo, visiting casinos, and cooking. Every year at their famous, “Labor Day BBQ,” you could always see family sampling her corn pudding and collard greens. Etta truly enjoyed cooking for her family and friends. Etta leaves to cherish her memory: a loving and devoted husband of 53 years, Vincent “Spang” Crippen; three children, Lionel (Cassandra), Randall, and Cynthia (Leroy); nine grandchildren: Raheen, Shakeema, Cadeejha, Rashawn, Ebonee, Anas, Amirah, Brandi and Jordyn; seven great-grandchildren: Mikael, Nevaeh, Mylani, Devon, Jaylen, Nyah, and Dayshawn; one brother: William “Bill” Lippman; one brother-in-law: William Pruitt; one sister-in-law: Sadie Ayers; a dear friend Marge; two special daughters Evelyn and Dennine, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends. The viewing will be held at the Bethel A.M.E. Church, Freehold on Friday from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Funeral services will be held at the church at 11:00 a.m. followed by interment at Maplewood Cemetery, Freehold.