James B. Crenshaw

Published 6:00 am Friday, April 22, 2011

    Services for James Bluford Crenshaw will be held today, at 10 a.m., at Robert Barham Family Funeral Home Chapel, with Revs. Alan Randall and Joseph Hallman officiating. Special music will be by Cary Luke. Burial will be in Pleasant Ridge United Methodist Church Cemetery, Collinsville, with Robert Barham Family Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

    Mr. Crenshaw, 91, of the Pine Springs Community, died Tuesday, April 19, 2011, at his residence. He was born March 25, 1920. Mr. Crenshaw was a United States Veteran of World War II. He was a faithful member of Pleasant Ridge United Methodist Church and served on several church boards and committees. He supported the Pine Springs Volunteer Fire Department by donating the land for the Pine Springs Fire Station.

    Mr. Crenshaw will be remembered as the patriarch of the Crenshaw clan, a loving but firm “Daddy,” a totally dedicated husband to Iva Lee for 66 years, a “huggable Pa-Paw,” and a loyal friend to so many in his life. He will also be remembered as a lifelong cattleman, a shrewd businessman, a teacher of “hard knock” life lessons to his children, a true hero in his community, and a helping hand for those that needed one. He was an avid deer hunter and even at 90 years old, killed four bucks this last 2010-2011 season. He knew more about cattle, tractors, hay balers, cattle trailers, hunting dogs and trucks than almost anyone he met and could play “Rook” for hours on end. He worked hard all his life but never took a cent for any work he did not do. He would give you the shirt off his back but would expect you to do the same for someone else when you could. He had an amazing memory and could tell you what cow he bought, what he paid for it and from whom, even years after the sale. “Pa-Paw Bluford” loved to hunt and fish, but he enjoyed watching his kids, grandkids and great-grandkids hunt and catch fish even more. He loved to tell jokes and play pranks on folks and enjoyed all that God had provided for him and his family. He was surely one of a kind and will be sorely missed.

    Survivors include his sons: James Wayne Crenshaw and his wife Lynn, Larry Crenshaw and his wife Linda, Kyron Crenshaw and his wife Brenda, all of Meridian, and Danny Luke and his wife Melanie of Collinsville; daughter, LaDonna Smith and her husband Ron of Collinsville; grandchildren: Kerry Crenshaw and his wife Missy, Tammy Ratcliff and her husband Todd, Dawn Reed and her husband Marty, Rachelle Crenshaw, Richard Crenshaw, Susan Harwell, Mike Barnett, Heather McNeill and her husband Frank, Ryan “Smitty” Smith and his wife Jessy, and Matt Smith and his wife Lauren; great-grandchildren: Matthew Crenshaw, Dylan McEllhenny, Kayla Smith, Morgan Ratcliff, Tres Dobbins, Eli Crenshaw, Brandon Crenshaw, Kimberly McMillan, Jake McNeill, and Emma Claire McNeill; and great-great-grandson, Landon Crenshaw; brother, Arthur Crenshaw and his wife Julia; sisters-in-law: Margie Beeman and her husband “T.W.’, Fannie Little and her husband James, and Carolyn Freeman; special family friends: Ginny Smith and Tilton Prater; numerous nieces and nephews; and special thanks to Brenda Alawine and Eloise Rouleau.

    He was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Iva Lee Crenshaw; his parents, Albert and Ida Crenshaw; sisters: Lola Thames, Gladys Stamper and Ulna Frank Crenshaw; and grandson, Tommy Dobbins Jr.

    Pallbearers will be Richard Crenshaw, Kerry Crenshaw, Brandon Crenshaw, Matthew Crenshaw, Mike Barnett, Todd Ratcliff, Marty Reed, Ryan “Smitty” Smith, Matt Smith, Frank McNeill, Dexter Stevens and Barry Ray.

    Honorary pallbearers will be members of Collinsville Hunting Club.

    Memorials may be made to Pleasant Ridge United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 100, Collinsville, MS 39325.

    Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at robertbarhamffh.com