01/27/09 — ZYLPHIA B. CRENSHAW

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ZYLPHIA B. CRENSHAW

Sept. 6, 1906-Jan. 25, 2009

MOUNT OLIVE -- Mrs. Zylphia "Dippie" Baker Crenshaw, 102, died early Sunday morning at SunBridge Care Center in Mount Olive.

A visitation will be held Thursday at Tyndall Funeral Home in Mount Olive from 4 to 6 p.m. A memorial service will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at the Centennial Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Columbia, S.C. It was Mrs. Crenshaw's wish, that upon her death, her remains be bequeathed to The Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University for scientific research.

Born Sept. 6, 1906, in Pitt County, she grew up in Farmville. When she was in her early 20s, she represented Farmville in the Miss North Carolina Contest. She was a long time resident of Columbia, S.C., before moving to Mount Olive in the late years of her life to be close to family.

She is survived by her sister, long-time resident of Mount Olive, Priscilla "Pat" Baker Clifton; her nephews, Frank T. Clifton Jr. and John E. Clifton; and her niece, Jane Clifton Pfaffenberger, all of Mount Olive.

She was the widow of Thomas Crenshaw, who died in 1975. He had been employed by The State newspaper. She was also preceded in death by her parents, John Ivey Baker and Pearl Hardy Baker; by brothers Patrick Baker, John Baker, and Robert Baker; and by a sister, Ruby Baker Taylor.

Mrs. Crenshaw was employed for most of her married life by the Ellison Insurance Agency in Columbia. She was a life- long member of the Centennial Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Columbia, whose members continued to remember her on birthdays and Christmas with cards and gifts during her years in Mount Olive.

"Miss Dippie," as she came to be known by the staff of Sunbridge, was a gracious and lovely lady. Although she had many physical disabilities, she continued to be cheerful and uncomplaining every day of her life. Her family was told that it was "an honor" to have had such a wonderful resident at SunBridge.

At times other than the stated visitation, friends may visit the residence of Pat Clifton, 607 N. Church St., Mount Olive.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Centennial Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, 1413 Laurel St., Columbia, S.C., 29201.

Arrangements are being handled by Tyndall Funeral Home Service.

(Pd)

Published in Obituaries on January 27, 2009 1:46 PM