Dr. George Robert Cribb

It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the recent passing of George/Dad/Grandpa at the age of 97.5 years. He passed away peacefully in Greenville SC. where he lived at Rolling Green Village. He lived a long, blessed and diversified life but now he is finally in the arms of Jesus, his Lord and Savior.

He was born in Coastal SC (Horry County) into a farm family and lived in the area (and worked on the farm) until graduation from High School during which time WW2 began. Upon graduation he volunteered and joined the US Navy for the remainder of the war effort. At the conclusion of the war he was able to use the GI bill to further his education and received degrees from Wake Forest (Bachelors), Columbia University in New York (Masters) and North Texas State University (Doctorate). He served his entire career in Music Education teaching at various colleges and Universities across the south. For a detailed description of his impressive career please follow this link to the Memoria that Gardner Webb University has publicly posted. https://gardner-webb.edu/news/in-memoriam-professor-emeritus-george-cribb/ . While he was a very accomplished pianist, his true first dedication was to his students, and he touched and influenced many lives. 

While he loved to give concerts and share his love of music, he also loved to work in his garden and he loved his family, being the consummate example of setting goals and not being afraid of hard work to accomplish them. Everywhere his family lived he also prioritized finding a church home where he could serve the music ministry including directing the choir.

He is predeceased by his parents, Boyd and Francis Granger Cribb, his brothers, Cornie, Ernest, Brinkley, and Clarence, sisters Betty Jordan, and Ina Lee Gaskins. His wife Barbara Jensen Cribb passed away in 2013. He is survived by his sons, Robert (Angela), and David (Alexia), 5 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren.

His body is being cremated and a memorial service and celebration of life is planned for March 29 at 3pm at the Shelby Presbyterian Church in Shelby North Carolina where he was the Choir director for 21 years. For those who may wish to remember him in some manner, the family encourages donations to either the George Cribb Scholarship fund at Gardner Webb University for qualifying music students or at the George Cribb memorial fund at the Shelby Presbyterian church for the music ministry there.