Carl Donald Crumbley

Obituary: Carl Donald "Don" Crumbley, 93, of Kannapolis went to be with his Lord on Thursday Nov. 5, 2009.On September 13, 1916 Luella McLean Crumbley, wife of Joseph S. Crumbley gave birth to a bouncing baby boy. Carl Donald Crumbley became the second of what were to be six children of Joseph and Luella. Don, as he was to be known, was moved from Valdosta, Georgia at the age of three to Rockingham, North Carolina where his father became the head carpenter for a Pee Dee textile mill. At an early age, Don was taught the importance and benefits of hard work. He began helping his older sister and aunts in the local textile mills before he reached his teenage years. He helped build one of the finest farm homes in the area-all constructed from hand made or recycled building materials before the word recycled was invented. The family survived the Depression intact; something many of that era could not say. In August of 1938, Don moved to Kannapolis in search of his fortune with Charles A. Cannon where he worked as a weaver for the next 45 years.In less than two years, Don realized he had left an important part of his fortune in Rockingham. On June 8, 1940, he married Velvia Luetta Kelly and carried her back to Kannapolis where they were to raise three children of their own.He entered the US Army in 1945 where he served his country during WW II. In his nearly 71 years in Kannapolis, Don has become a pillar within the community. He has served many positions within Franklin Heights Baptist Church including Deacon and Trustee, as well as having been active in Scouting. As an eighth generation Crumbley, Don has instilled in not only his own children, but many other individuals around him the importance of honesty, a strong work ethic, as well as Christian love. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. We celebrate Don and all the good deeds he has done for those around him. Though his words are soft and few, his kindness and love is felt by all around him! We ask you to join in this celebration. A funeral service will be 4:00 PM Sunday at Franklin Heights Baptist Church officiated by Rev. Jim Grigg. The family will receive friends from 2:00 to 3:45 Sunday in the church fellowship hall. Burial will be private on Monday at Carolina Memorial Park. He is survived by his wife Velvia Luetta Kelly Crumbley; three children: Dr. Donald Larry Crumbley and wife, Donna of Baton Rouge, La.;Glenda Yvonne Barnhardt and husband, Ray of Newton, NC; and Tony Lamar Crumbley and wife, Renea of Charlotte; seven grandchildren: Stacey Pehrson, Heather Simmen, Dana Bushong, Kelly Wright, Stephanie Calderon, Tate Crumbley, and Tera Long, eight great-grandchildren: Ryan Pehrson, Jacob Pehrson, Sloane Simmen, Dane Simmen, Daniel Blair, Caleb Blair, Madeline Wright and Bailey Wright, and his two sisters,Bonnie McCollum and Ruby Swink. Memorials may be made to Franklin Heights Baptist Church Christian Academy, 526 Wright Ave., Kannapolis, NC 28083. Whitley's Funeral Home handling arrangements.
Visitation: 2:00 - 3:45 PM Sunday November 8 Franklin Heights Baptist Church Fellowship Hall

Service: 4:00 PM Sunday November 8 Franklin Heights Baptist Church Kannapolis NC

Interment: Burial will be private