Cornelia Battle Crinkley of Memphis died March 7, 2008 at her home. The daughter of the late James S. and Emily Burgess Crinkley, she was born October 26, 1916 in Washington County, NC. She moved to Memphis as a child with her family. She attended the old St. Mary’s School and graduated from Miss Hutchison’s School and from Southwestern (now Rhodes College). Ms. Crinkleytaught in the Memphis City School system for over 40 years with her longest years of service being at Central and White Station High Schools. An avid bridge player, she belonged to the Nineteenth Century Club where she played often. She was a longtime member of Idlewild Presbyterian Church where she belonged to the Hannah Circle. She is survived by her great-niece, Lucy Seward of Levittown, NY; and by friends who took care of her: Barbara Jackson, Mattie Kinnel, Bernice Carruthers, Johnnie Payne and Wilma Miller. Graveside services will be 2 p.m., Monday, March 10, in Memorial Park Cemetery. The family requests any memorials be sent to Idlewild Presbyterian Church. Canale Funeral Directors 901-452-6400
I had Miss Crinkley for the fifth and sixth grades at Leroy Pope School in North Memphis in the WWII years. She was the best teacher I ever had including college. I wish I could have seen her again over the years.
James T. Bennett
20-Jan-2010 19:04
If I am not mistaken, Miss Cornelia Crinkley had a sister, Christine, who taught Spanish for many years at Messick High School in Memphis. As a Messick alum, Miss Christine Crinkley was (still is) my favorite teacher who changed my life.