C. Gene Cryder

On June 4, 2014, with his son by his side, Gene Cryder, age 83, passed his final exam and was promoted to glory. Gene was born in Tupelo, MS on May 25, 1931 to Leonard Clyde and Lucille Gregory Cryder.

He graduated from Tupelo High School and played in the Mississippi Big Eight Basketball Tournament. He attended the University of Southern Mississippi and was a member of Alpha Tau Omega and more importantly, met his future wife, Betty DeJong. Gene and Betty married in 1950.

He is preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Jack Gregory Cryder of Tupelo. He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Betty; his son and daughter-in-law, C. Dennis (Deborah) of Zionsville, IN; three grandsons: C. Sterling Cryder (Liza) of Oklahoma City, OK; C. Spencer Cryder (Stephanie) of Hanoi, Vietnam, and C. Stuart Cryder, Chicago, IL. Three very special great-granddaughters: twins, Claire Ella Lee, Catherine Spencer, and Ruby Rink Cryder; and his sister, Helen C. Wallis of Greenville, MS. Those who know him also know that he considered his many friends from all of his church memberships as dear family.

In 1953, Gene began a proud forty-year career with Southern Bell Telephone. He was a member of the Tupelo Junior Chamber of Commerce and enjoyed serving in many membership roles. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Tupelo where he taught Sunday School class, Training Union, and worked with youth.

In 1961, the family moved to Canton where Gene was a member of the First Baptist Church. He also continued serving as a member of the Canton Junior Chamber of Commerce. In 1965, Gene was honored by being named an “Outstanding Young Men of America” recipient.

In Jackson, he was a 42-year member of the First Baptist Church of Jackson. He was a member of the Fishers of Men/Explorers Sunday School class, served as an usher and routinely coordinated many church social activities. He deeply loved all of his church memberships and the church was the foundation of his life.

Gene was actively involved in many service and community organizations (Telephone Pioneers of America, Sertoma) – too many to individually list. He was a 32nd degree Mason, Shriner and Jester. Through his service work, Gene was always ready to help others. He truly practiced caring for and giving to others during his life. He touched hundreds of lives with his loving and caring deeds.

He never met a stranger because he loved people and those who knew him truly loved him. When he would see you, he would often greet you with a warm and welcoming, “Hey now…” – and after your visit, he would close the visit by smiling and saying, “I’m sure glad you got to see me.” For those of us who knew and loved Gene Cryder, that farewell statement could not be any truer.

The Cryder family wants to express their deepest appreciation to the St. Dominic Hospital staff, Dr. Guangzhi Qu, Dr. Howard C. Friday, Melvin Gray, Diane Gray, the First Baptist Church Jackson family.

Visitation will be held Saturday, June 7, 2014 at Wright and Ferguson Funeral Home, 1161 Highland Colony Parkway, Ridgeland, MS from 9:30- 10:30 a.m. with funeral service and interment following in Parkway Memorial Cemetery.

Pallbearers are: Ronnie Ainsworth, Scott Gauntt, Mike Edmonston, Mike Howard, Jack Hunt and John S. Smith. Honorary pallbearers are the members of the Fishers of Men/Explorers class at First Baptist Church Jackson.

Memorials may be made to the Senior Adult Ministry, First Baptist Church Jackson, P.O. Box 250, Jackson, Mississippi 39205