Thomas E. “Ed” Crittenden, 93, passed away Saturday, June 13, 2020, at Aldersgate CCRC in Charlotte. He was born in Hardyville on Oct. 20, 1926, to Thomas H. and Wade V. Crittenden. He graduated from Syringa High School in Middlesex County.
As a child of the Great Depression, his career began early, working on his father’s farm and trucking company.
After a brief stint in the Army, he met the love of his life, Doris Grubb, while she was in nursing school in Richmond. They wed in 1950.
He continued working in trucking, moving to Charlotte in 1959. He retired from Bowman Transportation in 1989. He then began his second “career,” working for his son, Steve Crittenden, at Southern Fitness Products in Charlotte.
He was a longtime member of Cole Memorial United Methodist Church. He was also active in the Lions Club and a 50-plus year member of the Donovan Masonic Lodge.
He was predeceased by his parents; his sister, Anna C. Saunders; brother, Frederick S. Crittenden; his daughter, Rebecca Crittenden Boyce; and his son, Stephen W. Crittenden. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Doris G. Crittenden; his son, David E. Crittenden (Susan) of Cary, N.C.; five grandchildren, Elizabeth T. Johnson (Jed), Sarah C. Fuller (Andy), Kathryn C. Appel (Tyler), Matthew D. Crittenden and A. Tyler Crittenden; four great-grandchildren; and his sister, Helen C. Culbertson.
A celebration service will be conducted at Gethsemane Memorial Gardens, Charlotte, on Saturday, June 20, at 11 a.m.
Memorial donations can be made to the American Alzheimer’s Association or the Guardian Angel’s Fund at Aldersgate, 3800 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, NC 28215.
