Relieu Frances Cratch

Relieu B. Cratch, died peacefully at home on Sunday, November 6, 2011, at the age of 94 with her family at her side. Relieu grew up in the Green Level Community with her three sisters and brother. She attended the original Green Hope Elementary and High School. She furthered her education at Meredith College and Hoyle Business School in Raleigh.

After college and business school, she worked at McClellan’s Department Store and Hoyle Business School until she accepted a war time appointment with the Department of Agriculture in Raleigh in 1942. She worked there until she married the love of her life, Albert S. Cratch. After her marriage to Al, Relieu transferred to the Department of the Army because Al was career Army. They served in Killean, Texas, and Colorado Springs, Colorado. They were then transferred to Germany for three years, were they enjoyed traveling in England, France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Austria and Switzerland. Upon returning to the US in May 1962, they moved to Fayetteville, NC. She worked at The Special Forces Schools at Fort Bragg, NC, and retired in 1976.

After retirement, they moved to Apex and built a home on the family farm. They became very active in the Green Level Community where they developed lifelong friends and an extended family. Their home became a place of gathering in the community and they were always surrounded by family and friends. She was an active member of Green Level Baptist Church, participating in many aspects of the church, including teaching Sunday and director of the Youth Department.

Mrs. Cratch was preceded in death by her husband Albert S. Cratch, her parents Claude R. and Cleo S. Baucom of Apex, three sisters, Scarboro Baucom of Apex, Joyce B. Pittman of Scotland Neck, and Anna B. Peele of Raleigh and brother Claude Baucom Jr. of Durham. She is survived by her sister Barbara Taylor of Cary, sister-in-law Diane Baucom of Durham. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and a great, great nieces and nephews. She was loved by so many and made a large impact in everyone’s life she came in contact with.

A funeral service will be held 11:00 am Thursday, November 10, 2011 at Green Level Baptist Church, Cary. The family will receive friends following the service.

In honor of Mrs. Cratch’s love of fresh flowers, flowers will be appreciated and accepted. Please send them to Apex Funeral home.