Ivan Rozelle Criner, Sr., age 92, died at his home in Ripley, Tennessee, on Monday, October 7, 2024.
Rozelle, son of Robert Clinton Criner, Sr. and Carah (Kate) New Criner, was born October 27, 1931, in the Mary’s Chapel community and lived his entire life in Lauderdale County.
Criner managed Hunt Morris Hardware Company in Ripley and was co-owner of General Hardware. He founded Rozelle Criner Furniture and Appliance Company on January 1, 1962, and continued to operate it as a family business until his recent ill health.
A dedicated servant of his community, Criner, a graduate of Ripley High School, was a member of the Ripley Board of Aldermen from 1962-1966. He served twenty-two years as City of Ripley Mayor during which time two industrial parks were created, six new factories chose Ripley as their location, and four industries expanded their already existing operations. Criner’s interest in progress extended to the entire county as he served as Lauderdale County Executive/Mayor from 1994-2006. His influence did not stop locally, for he was a member of professional mayoral associations and as a private citizen, he served from 2010-2014 on the Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations chaired by Senator Mark Norris.
A member of the Bank of Ripley Board of Directors since January 1, 1973, Criner was active in local civic organizations. He was a member of the Lauderdale County Chamber of Commerce and the Ripley Rotary Club and was named a Paul Harris Fellow. He was honored with the Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Citizen of the Year and the Fraternal Order of Police Man of the Year Awards. An ardent supporter of local and county organizations and charities, he also earned the respect and gratitude of many individuals to whom he extended a helping hand.
A devout Christian, Criner was reared in the Mary’s Chapel Baptist Church, but upon marriage, became a member of Lightfoot United Methodist Church where he served in multiple leadership capacities: church superintendent, long-time adult Sunday School teacher, and chairperson of the Board of Trustees and the Pastor Parish Committee. On the Ripley Circuit, of which Lightfoot Church was a part, he served as chair of the charge Pastor Parish Relations Committee, president of the United Methodist Men, and charge lay leader. Following the close of Lightfoot UMC, he attended and supported Ripley First United Methodist Church.
Rozelle is survived by Peggy Barnes Criner, his wife of seventy-five years; grandsons Clay (Julie), Woodson, and John Criner of Knoxville, Tennessee, and Andrew Criner of Halls, Tennessee; great-granddaughter Maggie Criner, great-grandsons Will, Ben, and Chandler Criner, and daughter-in-law Jean Reid Criner.
In addition to his parents, Criner was preceded in death by his sons, Ivan Rozelle Criner, Jr.; Woodson Carter Criner; and Robert Clinton Criner, Jr; granddaughter Laura Elizabeth Criner; sisters Bessie Ross, Louella Jenkins, Ora Summar; and brothers William, Nolan, Hubert, and Leroy Criner as well as Hubert’s twin Herbert and two infant brothers.
Visitation for family and friends will be held on Saturday, October 12, from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.at Ripley First United Methodist Church, 145 South Main Street, Ripley, Tennessee. Services with Reverend Donna Parramore officiating will commence at 1:00 p.m. with interment to follow at Ripley Memorial Gardens. Garner Funeral Home in Ripley has charge of the services.
The family requests that any memorials in Rozelle’s name be made to the charity of one’s choice.
