house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens....For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are
confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the
Lord.” 2 Corinthians 5:1, 7-8
On Sunday, August 19, 2018 at the age of 97, Ruth Janiece Lang Crisp, confident in her faith in
Jesus Christ, entered her heavenly home. Ruth was born on Thursday, November 25, 1920 and
was placed in Hope Cottage Orphan Home the following Sunday. In July 1921, James and
Dora Evans Lang adopted Ruth and brought her by train to Appleby, Texas. When Ruth’s dad
recorded her birth at the court house, he gave his birthdate as hers, January 15, 1921. She was
always so grateful to have been adopted by Dora and Jim Lang whom she adored and to
whom she was a devoted daughter. Her adoption also made her a strong advocate for
adoption.
Ruth attended school in Appleby and Holly Grove and graduated in 1937 from Trawick High
School in the top of her class. After graduation, Ruth went to Nacogdoches, Texas to attend
business school. While there, she lived at the Crisp Hotel which happened to be run by her
future husband’s grandmother. It wasn’t long before Ruth met and fell in love with Fred Crisp.
The two were married December 24, 1938 and were married for 50 years, residing in
Nacogdoches.
During the years of their marriage, Ruth was a loyal wife and homemaker and the office
manager for her husband’s business, Fred’s Electric Service in Nacogdoches. After her
husband Fred retired, Ruth worked for Crisp Electrical Contractors and Construction and
Nacogdoches Lighting, businesses owned by her son and daughter-in-law, Kim and Angie
Crisp. She retired at the age of 80 in 2001. She enjoyed her work, especially interacting with
the public.
Ruth’s greatest pride and pleasure in life was her family. She enjoyed and loved her own
children, their spouses and her grandchildren, as well as the extended family of parents,
grandparents, brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews. Her first child, a son,
was born in November 1939 and lived only two days. She always looked forward to being
reunited with Fred Wayne in heaven. Four more children followed—Janiece in 1941, Ben in
1944, Linda in 1948 and Kim in 1956. Ruth was always involved with her children in their
school, church and social activities and encouraged them in their education and to follow their
dreams. She treasured taking her children and grandchildren on adventuresome trips. She
delighted in treating her grandchildren to high school graduation trips to Hawaii, England and a
cruise to Cozumel. Up until she went to live at The Arbor Assisted Living at the age of 93, she
always treated her children to a special birthday dinner in her home. Ruth believed in “making
memories.”
Ruth was a faithful and active member of Fredonia Hill Baptist Church since the early 1950’s,
teaching Sunday School of all ages and supporting the church activities in any way possible. In
one of her journal writings (she was a prolific writer and poet), she said, “My greatest joy is
knowing my family know Jesus Christ.” She truly lived her life for Jesus Christ and for her
family.
Because of her outgoing and friendly nature, Ruth had many cherished friendships, young and
old. She truly exemplified Proverbs 18:24–“A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but
there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”
Ruth and her family wish to express their appreciation to the staff of The Arbor Assisted Living
& Memory Care for their devoted and tender care these last four years, and also to The
Hospice of East Texas during these last few weeks. In addition, we would like to thank Sharon
Standley who with kindness cared for Ruth at home prior to her move to The Arbor. Ruth would
especially like to remember her daughter-in-love, Sherril Crisp, for the many years of loving
devotion in her daily assistance while at home and at The Arbor.
Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, James and Dora Lang, her husband, Fred Crisp,
her brothers, Opal Langston and Bill Lang, her sister, Gladys Benson, her son, Fred Wayne
Crisp, her grandson, Blake Crisp and her son-in-law, James Byrd. She is survived by two sons,
Ben Crisp (Sherril) and Kim Crisp (Angie); and two daughters, Janiece Byrd and Linda Quillin
(Neal); and grandchildren, Cristie Ellison (Troy), Jim Byrd, Tiffany Smith (Jim), Richard Barnhart,
John Quillin (Tracy), Susan Romero (Moises), Claire Drewery (Kyle); and great grandchildren,
Jack Quillin, Jacob Quillin, Macy Gehlert, Olivia Romero, Matthew Romero, Luke Ellison,
Andrew Crisp, Blakely Drewery, Bobby Barnhart, Brian Barnhart, Brett Barnhart, Bryson
Barnhart; and great great grandchildren, Buck Barnhart, Lauryn Hensarling, Hayden Barnhart,
Raylynn Sindik-Barnhart, Christian Barnhart; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held at Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Home in Nacogdoches on Saturday,
August 25, 2018 at one o’clock in the afternoon, with the celebration of life service at two
o’clock, followed by the interment at Oak Grove Cemetery.
In lieu of customary remembrances, Ruth requested, to honor her parents and adoption, that
memorial gifts be made to
Hope Cottage Pregnancy and Adoption Center
P.O. Box 140459
Dallas, TX 75214
or through their online website <hopecottage.org>
