Jimmy Alton Cribbs

Jimmy Alton Cribbs, 86, of Hillsboro, Texas, passed away Sunday, February 13, 2022, at his home.  Jimmy was born September 30, 1935, in Paducah, Texas, to Alfred Newton and Jimmie Vera (McClung) Cribbs.  Funeral services will take place at 2:00 pm, Monday, February 21, 2022, at the First United Methodist Church, Hillsboro, with Pastor Tommy Prud’homme officiating.  Visitation will take place prior to the service, from noon until 2:00 pm, at the church, with burial to follow the service at Hillcrest Garden of Memory, Hillsboro, Texas.

Jimmy grew up in Paducah, graduating from Paducah High School in 1953.  He attended McMurray College in Abilene, Texas, where he received his bachelor’s degree in 1958.  During college, he attended Army boot camp at Fort Chaffey, Arkansas.  He served in the National Guard for eight years and obtained the rank of Staff Sergeant.  Jimmy was united in marriage to Mary Ellen Deffebach, his high school sweetheart, on February 20, 1960, in Ranger, Texas.  An insurance adjuster for most of his career, he lived in several different towns in west Texas before settling in Hillsboro in 2013.  He became a member of the Wally Byam International Travel Club and was an avid “Airstreamer.”  Jimmy served as president of the club several times at the local level and was a member of the International Airstream band, playing the baritone.  Wherever they lived, he served in his church and always enjoyed singing in the choir.  He also loved to ride his bicycle, playing joker and chess.  He was also a member of the NATC in Hillsboro and a member of the ping pong club at Traveler’s Rest Resort, in Florida.

Preceded in death by his parents, Jimmy is survived by his wife, Mary Ellen Cribbs; his children, Vicki Gene Berry and her husband Rev. Kent Berry, Donna Elaine Latham and her husband Robert, and Steven Alton Cribbs and his wife, Connie; his brother, Gene Bob Cribbs and his wife, Jean: ten grandchildren, Stephanie Lesniewski and her husband, Bryan, Bethany Jordan, Benjamin Berry and his wife, Callye, Lori Powell and her husband, J.R., Brittany Smith and her husband, Trent, Heather Latham and her fiancé, Dom Alacorn, Matthew Latham and his fiancée, Madalyn Sprague, Joshua Cribbs, Seth Cribbs, and Makenna Cribbs; and thirteen great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to the charity of your choice or your church.