Robert Carl Crisp Sr.

Robert Carl Crisp, Sr.

Abilene, TX

Mr. Robert Carl Crisp, Sr., better known as R.C. by his late wife of 70, Mrs. Martella Crisp, was born November 17, 1922 to Clifford Crisp and Ruby Callahan Crisp Brown in Georgetown, Texas. He was the youngest of four siblings.

As an adventurous and enterprising young child, Robert developed a love for raising quality pigeons and marketing them to local vendors who paid him handsomely for his prized specimens. As a young business whiz with a flair for innovation, he quickly developed a skill-set for promoting his product, which included his idea of "specials for the week."

His family eventually relocated to Ardmore, Oklahoma, where he attended Dunbar Elementary School. In 1933, at the age of nine, Robert developed Infantile Paralysis (Polio), which was an acute and sometimes devastating viral disease. The disease eventually led to the amputation of his left leg. After surgery, he was hospitalized for a prolonged period of time. Following an extensive time in rehabilitation, he learned to walk with the utilization of one rather than two crutches. Although there were obvious challenges, he was equal to the task of conquering every obstacle he faced. From that period forward, he never looked back and had the utmost confidence that there was nothing he could not do.

In 1943, he followed his dream of finding meaningful employment. This dream led him to Sanger, Texas, where he was employed as a cook at John and Lela's Cafe;. While in Sanger, he was introduced to Martella Turner, one of a long line of beautiful Turner girls. He was taken by her beauty and she was overwhelmed by his charm and meticulous wardrobe. His obvious disability was never a concern to their relationship because he had such an outgoing personality and was very confident in his abilities. It was, after all, love at first sight. After dating for nearly a year, young Robert asked Martella's father for her hand in marriage. They were united in holy matrimony on Monday, April 17, 1944.

Robert accepted Christ as his personal savior in the months following their marriage and was baptized at Bethel A.M.E. Church in Sanger, Texas. During their marital years in Sanger, seven children were born to this developing family. An eight and last child arrived after the family moved to Abilene, Texas in 1955.

While in Abilene, Robert worked at the Abilene Country Club as a Chef in the facility's prestigious Tea Room for more than 23 years. He was noted for his regimented work ethic and meticulous manner of serving quality food. His patrons who saw his creations on display during special buffets during his tenure at the Country Club. In the community, everyone had to have some of Mr. Crisp's famous sausage. His remarkable smoked Bar-B-Que ribs with special sauce made from his own secret mouthwatering recipe were incredible. Robert was also a gifted artist, and enjoyed using a canvas with oil to created paintings of beautiful mountainous scenes as a backdrop.

Robert was a loyal and faithful member of Antioch C.M.E. Church for more than 50 years, serving in various Committees as time would permit due to his employment obligations at the Country Club.

On Saturday, May 2, 2015, our beloved Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather, and Uncle answered God's call. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clifford Crisp and Ruby Callahan Crisp Brown his Late wife for over 70 years Martella Crisp, beloved first born child, Ruby Jewel Crisp and other beloved relatives. Robert leaves to cherish his memory.; children, Dr. Robert Carl Crisp, Jr. (Carolyn), Melva L. Frazier, Dorothy Crisp Johnson, Clyde Crisp (Jackie), Dennis Crisp (Rosa), Harold Crisp (Barbara) and Ralph Crisp; sister-in-law, Mae Ella Mitchell; 19 grandchildren; 32 great grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends.