Obituary of Vincent Lee Crippen

Celebration of Life Our beloved father and friend, Vincent Lee Crippen, affectionately known as “Spang”, departed this life on Saturday, November 17, 2018 at The Manor in Freehold, NJ. He was born to the late Isaiah Ayers and Helen Crippen on July 8, 1938 in Accomack, Virginia. Vincent was a product of the Accomack County Public School system, where he obtained an elementary education. In 1964 in his quest for a better life, Vincent decided to leave the South and Jim Crow behind and relocate to New Jersey. Not long after arriving in New Jersey Vincent landed a job at Fox Enterprise, as a Maintenance Engineer, where he remained for 35 years before retiring in 2001. Vincent met the love of his life, Etta Crippen in 1955 and they were married on July 24, 1964. To this union, three children were born, Lionel Vincent Crippen, Randall Melvin Crippen and Cynthia Denise Crippen-Cooks. As Vincent left the geography of the South behind, he held onto his love of family and friends. He was well aware of his roots and maintained those connections to the bitter end. He dedicated his life to providing stability for his family. Vincent became well known for his kind heartedness. He had a true heart of gold, a servants’ heart. He never hesitated to give help or provide care in someone’s time of need. For many years he enjoyed sharing food, fellowship and fun with family and friends during his famous, “Labor Day BBQ,”. His favorite past time entertainment included watching wrestling, watching the Yankees and Mets, playing cards and loving on family. Vincent was one of eight children and predeceased by his wife, Etta Crippen; brother Harold Crippen (Ann); and two sisters Mildred Crippen and Joanne Teasley. He is survived by a great aunt: Dorothy Crippen. He also leaves to cherish his memories: his three children, Lionel (Cassandra), Randall, and Cynthia (Leroy); nine grandchildren: Raheen, Shakeema (Deon), Cadeejha, Rashawn, Ebonee, Anas, Amirah, Brandi and Jordyn; eight great-grandchildren: Mikael, Nevaeh, Mylani, Devon, Jaylen, Nyah, Dayshawn and Pierre; four sisters: Julia Green (Edward (deceased)), Mary Crippen, Nancy (Oliver), Lizzie Richardson (Bernard); one brother: Delmas Crippen (Doris); two brothers-in-law: William Pruitt, William “Bill” Lippman; one sister-in-law: Sadie Ayers; a dear friend Daisy Fletcher and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. The viewing will be held at the Bethel A.M.E. Church, 3 Waterworks Road, Freehold on Monday from 10 to 11 a.m. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. at the church. The interment will be held at Maplewood Cemetery, Freehold.