“Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.” With that thought in mind, it is with sadness that Bernice Wayne Crittenden, a lifelong resident of Sabine Parish, was laid to rest on Sunday, July 27th, following several years of dementia. Mr. Crittenden was a retired mechanic at Fort Polk, where he worked for 34 years. He died at his daughter’s home on July 18, where he has lived for the last year.
He was born on October 19, 1944, the second of five children to the late Emmitt and Ethlene Crittenden. He was well known throughout Sabine Parish and was an avid fisherman on Toledo Bend and other nearby rivers and ponds.
Mr. Crittenden was a loving and devoted family man with a strong love for the Lord. He served as a member and deacon at Carson Baptist Church. He was always available to offer a helping hand to anyone in need. It was that characteristic love for others that will be remembered by his many relatives and friends.
He was a 1962 graduate of Many High School. Following graduation, he served honorably in the U.S. Navy from 1962 to 1966.
Bernice was preceded in death by his parents, Emmitt and Ethelene Crittenden; younger sister, Norma Beth Crittenden Guillory; brother-in-law, Jimmy Don Anderson; and in-laws, Virgil and Mary Rivers. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Linda Gayle Crittenden, of Many, Louisiana; son, Robert Wayne and Wife, Jasmine, of Hemphill, Texas; son, Sherman Wade and wife, Julie, of Malta, Texas; and daughter, Ramona Jeanne Rains and husband, Preston, of Many, Louisiana; sisters, Betty Crittenden Grimes and husband, George, of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas and Martha Lynn Anderson of Many, Louisiana; brother, Charles William Crittenden and wife, Vickie, of Keithville, Louisiana; and brother-in-law, Kenny Guillory of Sulphur, Louisiana; grandchildren, Valen Crittenden, Abby Crittenden Bell, Wade Crittenden, Jr., Brandon Byles, Michaela Byles Hovermale, Justin Byles, Jordan Crittenden, Olivia Crittenden, Alayna Rains, Trey Rains, and Christian Catayong.
Honoring Bernice as pallbearers will be Wade Crittenden, Jr., Brandon Byles, Justin Byles, Jordan Crittenden, Trey Rains, and Christian Catayong. Serving as honorary Pallbearers were the loving ladies who took care of Mr. Crittenden, Clara Moore, Faith Williams, Patricia Zamora, Sheronda Cary, Jackie Semien, Patricia Harrell, Patricia Goodman, Stephanie Jones, Brittany Thomas, Misty Dupre, Bailey Williams, Talaha Brumfield and the Superior Hospice Nurses. The family also wishes to thank Superior Hospice, Elara Care, and the VA Medical Clinic in Natchitoches for taking wonderful care of him all these years.
Services and care were provided to the family by Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Many, Louisiana.