FRANCES HENRY CRITCHFIELD

Published 8:06 pm Friday, May 8, 2015

FRANCES HENRY CRITCHFIELD

Jan. 16, 1921 – April 12, 2015

Frances Henry Critchfield, 94, of Greenville, died on Sunday, April 12, 2015 at Cypress Glen Retirement Community.

Frances was born on January 16, 1921 in Rocky Mount, NC to Robert Colon Henry and Willie Cowell Henry. After graduating from Rocky Mount High School where she earned special recognition earning all A’s, inclusion on the first honor roll, and membership into the National Honor Society, she went on to The Women’s College of The University of North Carolina (now UNC Greensboro) receiving a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1942. There she served as House President, Legislative member, Secretary of the History Club, President of the Medical Technologist’s Club, and member of the Aletheian Society, Physics Club, and Young Democrats. She earned her Master of Science Degree in Physiology/Industrial Toxicology from the University of Pittsburgh in 1944 while completing her research at the Mellon Institute where she was employed as a Biochemical Assistant doing extensive research in Butadiene toxicity while a member the Phi Sigma Biological Society. It was there where she met, became engaged to husband, Frank and married in Rocky Mount, NC on December 27, 1944. She continued to work in Industrial Toxicology at the Mellon Institute publishing research from 1945 to 1951.

During her husband’s active military duty while stationed in Lakehurst, NJ, her first child David was born on May 19, 1952. Euclid, Ohio, a Cleveland suburb, was home until 1976 with her second child, Cathy being born on February 20, 1955. In Euclid she was a member of the Women’s Junior Board at Euclid-Glenville Hospital contributing over 700 volunteer hours. As a member of the AAUW (American Association of University Women) since 1956, she was honored in 1973 by having a grant to the Current American Fellowships Fund named in her honor. The purpose of which is to provide fellowship awards to American women and women of other countries for the writing of doctoral dissertations and post-doctoral research.  She returned to toxicology research for approximately 10 years in collaboration with M.R. Neuman, PhD, at Case Western Reserve in Cleveland, Ohio.

In 1976 a move was made to her native NC, specifically the Bayview/Beaufort County area to which she had been coming since 1944. She was a member of the Bath Garden Club and channeled her interest and talents into recreating the past and in bringing the Christmas of yesteryear to life at the historic houses of Bath with her culinary creations influenced by the English settlers. She also enjoyed perfecting the art of basketry for which she received awards in the State Finals for the North Carolina Senior Games. An avid reader, she could always be found reading a good mystery as well as enjoying, watching or playing a game of golf.

Frances was preceded in death by her parents, loving husband of 70 years, Frank; brother, Bobby; sister, Margaret; and grandson, Sloan Critchfield.

Frances is survived by beloved daughter, Cathy L. Critchfield of Greenville, NC; and son, David Critchfield, his wife, Triss, and granddaughter, Betsy, all of S. Portland, ME.

At Mrs. Critchfield’s request, she has been cremated.  Interment will take place at a later date.

Donations in her memory may be made to the Friends of Bath Community Library, 100 Carteret St., Bath, NC 27808.

Arrangements by Wilkerson Funeral Home & Crematory, Greenville.

Online condolences at www.wilkersonfuneralhome.com