Mary Loretta Crites

Mary Loretta Crites, age 93 of Aberdeen passed away on Thursday, July 12, 2012at the home of her daughter in Aberdeen after a brief illness. She was born in Oakland, Maryland March 15, 1919. She was the daughter of the late Robert Frantz and Stacia Frantz Purnell and step daughter of Dorsey Purnell. She was the wife of the late E. Norris Crites for 70 years. Loretta was a very accomplished woman in her life. She was a graduate of Oakland High School, class of 1937. She then entered cosmetology school and became a licensed beautician. She married her high school sweetheart, Norris, June 29, 1940. In 1942 they moved to Aberdeen and worked at Aberdeen Proving Grounds. In 1952 she became a member of Grove Presbyterian Church. She joined their choir, played the piano for Sunday School classes, and was a Deacon for many years. In 1955 she took college classes so she could substitute teach for many years while her 2daughters were in school. In 1960 she became a licensed realtor and worked for Baker and Baker Realty in Aberdeen. While working as a realtor she went back to school to obtain her State License and in 1964 she bought and operated her own beauty shop on Bel Air Ave in Aberdeen. She was widely known throughout Aberdeen as the writer of the social column, "All About Aberdeen" for the local newspaper, The Record, for over 25 years. She was President of the Golden Age Club of Aberdeen for 12 years and also served as President for the Aberdeen Homemakers Club. To honor her for her many contributions to the community, the Town of Aberdeen declared June 14 as "Loretta Crites Day" in 2011. Loretta is survived by her two daughters, Deanna Crabbe Tennis and her husband Gary of Perryville and Marsha Burdette Gerdom and her husband Bruce of Aberdeen. She had 6 grandchildren, Jeffrey, Steven a and Darrin Crabbe, Tami Burdette Feerar, Michael and Brian Burdette and 15 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her brother Glen Frantz of Aberdeen. The family will receive friends in the family owned Tarring-Cargo Funeral Home, P.A. 333 S. Parke St, Aberdeen, MD on Wednesday, July 18 from7:00-9:00 PM and Thursday July 19 from 12:00 noon to 1:00 PM at which time a funeral service officiated by Rev. Merritt Schatz will be celebrated. Interment will follow in Harford Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers are Loretta's grandson's Jeffrey, Steven and Darrin Crabbe, Michael and Brian Burdette and Tim Feerrar for Tami Burdette Feerrar. In Lieu of flowers donations may be made to Grove Presbyterian Church, 50 E. Bel Air Ave, Aberdeen, MD 21001 and/or Seasons Hospice, 7008 Security Blvd, Baltimore, MD 21224. Funeral Home: Tarring-Cargo Funeral Home 333 South Parke Street Aberdeen, MD US 21001