Barbara Jean Crippen

Despite bravely, and with unceasing positivity, fighting liver cancer and other health issues on July 29, 2026 her 73 year old body could endure no more. She passed peacefully at the SECU Hospice House of Brunswick surrounded by her sister Sue; niece, Jennifer; and cousins, Joyce and Roy Moses. Her family will be forever grateful for the compassionate care she received by the amazing nursing staff at the Hospice House.

Barb was known for her warm smile, kind heart, infectious laugh and ruthless desire to win at 5 Crowns, Rummy, or Mexican Train Dominoes.

She grew up in Toledo Ohio, graduating from McAuley High School in 1970, Her career began in Toledo as a Medical Assistant, working for a Podiatrist and later a Cardiologist. Her attention to detail, and what some would call stubborn determination, won her the frustrating job of dealing with health insurance claims processing from the provider side, setting her up for success as a customer service rep for Aetna Insurance in Blue Bell, PA.

Fleeing a particularly harsh Pennsylvania winter, Barb retired in 2016 and moved to St James where she and her sister, Sue, settled into a rewarding retirement lifestyle.

Barb added her voice to a local group of volunteer vocalists, Traveling Serendipity, performing at assisted care facilities throughout Brunswick County. She enjoyed being a docent at the Old Brunswick County Jail in Southport, previously an active member of the Southport Women’s Club, and more recently the Southeast Brunswick Women’s Association.

She is survived by her sisters, Jacqueline Crippen Gantt of Baldwin WI and Susan Crippen of Southport, NC; her nieces, Peggy Gantt and Jennifer Berning and husband Lynn; and nephew, Paul Gantt and wife Christine Morgan; her grand nieces and nephew, Bailey Berning, Kaleb Berning and wife Mercedes, and Chloe Berning; along with her loving canine, Jamie. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother-in-law, James Gantt.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, August 12, 2026 at Trinity United Methodist Church in Southport. The service will be live streamed on Trinity’s webpage at https://southporttrinityumc.com and will be recorded and stored there for later viewing.

Interment at Resurrection Cemetery in Toledo, Ohio will be scheduled at a later date.

The family requests that donations be made to the SECU Hospice House of Brunswick, 955 Mercy Lane, Bolivia North Carolina 28422.

Online condolences may be made at www.peacocknewnamwhite.com

Peacock - Newnam & White Funeral and Cremation Service, Southport, North Carolina.