David Cribbs

David Cribbs CHARLOTTE - David Cribbs' wife called him Mr. Happy, a term of endearment that captured his spirit until the day he died, at home, surrounded by loved ones. Over four years after cancer was first found in his lungs and two years after it had spread to his brain, Mr. Cribbs died on April, 17, 2014. He was 68. From the day he learned of his diagnosis, Mr. Cribbs embraced his family, an unwavering faith, and a peaceful presence that lifted everyone who knew him. He spoke often of the joy that he and his wife, Barbara, took from watching their three children grow up, have families and careers of their own, and give them four grandchildren to fill their hearts even more. He also spoke of the blessings that came from sharing days quietly with Barbara, laughing with family and friends, and enjoying conversations with members of his Care Team. They'd come to see him and wind up sitting and telling stories for hours. David Cribbs grew up in Pompano Beach, Fla. He was 22 when he and Barbara were married in 1968 - high school sweethearts. He served with the U.S. Army Security Agency in Turkey, graduated from Florida State University in 1973, and moved with his family to Charlotte in 1981. There, they put down roots and he worked in the fixed-income/municipal bond depts. of several banks and brokerages. Upon joining Myers Park United Methodist Church in 1983, he and Barbara unleashed their energy by serving as youth group counselors and leaders of the World Outreach committee. There he was at church one recent Sunday - in a wheelchair and unable to walk, a ball cap covering his spreading baldness - a half-dozen friends were eager to know how he was doing. He just smiled and told them he was "Okay." Mr. Cribbs is survived by his wife of 46 years, Barbara. Their three children always said they wanted a marriage like Mom and Dad's. Also surviving are their children, and four grandchildren - Jennifer Cribbs of Asheville; Drs. Marc and Sarah Cribbs and children Emmy Grace, Luke and Noah of Birmingham, Ala.; and Lindsey Frazier, husband Josh, and daughter Mia of Charlotte. A funeral service will be at 1:30 p.m., April 24, 2014, at Myers Park United Methodist Church, 1501 Queens Road, Charlotte, led by Revs. Ron Robinson and Bill Roth. Family and friends will gather afterward in the church's Jubilee Hall. Memorials in Mr. Cribbs' honor can be made to Myers Park UMC Local Outreach. Hankins & Whittington Funeral Service is handling arrangements. Please share condolences online at www.hankinsandwhittington.com. As they gathered in the den to work on this, Mr. Cribbs in his wheelchair and his wife on the sofa with Jackson, their Jack Russell Terrier, they shared the list of people they wished to give special thanks: Drs. Lorri Ayers and Reza Nazemzadeh, Parish Nurse Susan Mobley, Care Team from Myers Park, caregivers from Hospice and Palliative Care, and all their family, friends and neighbors. Mr. Cribbs also said he couldn't leave out the buddies he swam with for the past decade, most recently at the Harris Y. It was there they'd meet at 5 a.m. for exercise and fellowship. And, as the illness spread, they'd swim a little closer behind their friend, just in case. Raising a family, selling bonds, swimming in the hour before dawn, and leaning on a strong faith in Christ, Mr. Cribbs was the same before the cancer and after. Mr. Happy.