Mary Ellen Cribbs

Mary Ellen Cribbs, 87, entered the presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, passing peacefully at home with her daughters and granddaughters by her side.

Services will be on Thursday, June 4, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. at Crawford Methodist Church, with Reverend Tommy Prudhomme officiating. Visitation will precede her celebration of life at 10:30 a.m. Burial will commence at 3:00 p.m. at Hillcrest Garden of Memory, Hillsboro, Texas.

Mary Ellen was born in Ranger, Texas, on June 7, 1938, to Arthur Stevens Deffebach and Mary Edwina (Williams) Deffebach. She grew up in Ranger learning to play the piano, flute and organ. She graduated from Ranger High School in 1956 as valedictorian of her class, following in her father’s footsteps. She attended McMurry College in Abilene, Texas, graduating in 1960 with a bachelor’s degree in music. While in college at McMurry, she met the love of her life, Jimmy Alton Cribbs. They were married on February 20, 1960, at First Methodist Church in Ranger.

She was a music educator and church organist. After retiring, she continued as a church organist wherever they were living. Her hobbies and interests included playing piano, flute and organ, sewing, knitting, crafting, and spending time with family. In retirement, she and her husband traveled all over the United States in their Airstream. She was a lifelong Methodist and a member of Crawford Methodist Church at the time of her passing.

She was preceded in death by her husband of sixty-two years, Jim, and her parents.

Survivors include her three children, Vicki Cribbs Berry and husband Kent, Donna Cribbs Latham and husband Rob, and Steven Cribbs and wife Connie, as well as 10 grandchildren, Stephanie and husband Bryan, Bethany, Ben and wife Callye, Lori, Brittany and husband Trent, Heather and husband Dom, Matthew and wife Madalyn, Josh and with Heather, Seth, and Makenna, and 14 great-grandchildren, Mackenzie, Gareth, Benny, Leighton, Olivia,

Laurel, Penelope, Blaze, Atticus, Luke, Ezekiel, Wade, Weslie, and Baby Cribbs due June. She is also survived by her brother, Don Deffebach, brother-in-law Gene Cribbs and his partner Jean, and cousins, a niece, and nephews.

Pallbearers are Ben Berry, Matthew Latham, Seth Cribbs, Trent Smith, Bryan Lesnewski, Dom Alarcon, Gareth Jordan, and Benny Jordan

Memorials may be made to the Crawford Methodist Church Music Fund, PO Box 209, Crawford, TX 76638.

The family invites you to leave a message or memory of Mary Ellen on her “Tribute Wall” at www.WHBfamily.com.