C. Crook

Cletus Beatrix "C.B." Crook, Jr., 80 years of age, of Albemarle, passed away Saturday, May 28, 2016 at his home in Albemarle.

C.B. was born April 30, 1936 in Forsyth County to the late Cletus Beatrix Crook Sr. and the late Mamie Caroline Costner Crook. His twin sister, Sally Crook Stoker, and son-in-law, Robert Williamson, Jr., both preceded him in death.

The viewing will be on Wednesday, June 1, 2016, from 6:00 - 8:00 pm at Hartsell Funeral Home in Albemarle. The memorial service will be on Thursday, June 2, 2016 at 11:00 am at First Baptist Church in Albemarle, and will be officiated by the Rev. Andy Jung. The family will receive friends at a reception immediately following the service in the church fellowship hall.

C.B. is survived by his wife of 57 years, Betty Rose Jarrett Crook of Albemarle; son, Charles William "Chuck" Crook of Los Angeles, CA; daughter, Caroline Crook Williamson of New York, NY; granddaughter, Caroline Costner Williamson of San Francisco, CA; grandson, Benjamin Robert Williamson, III of New York; granddaughter, Wyndham Josephine Williamson of New York; and sister, Carolyn Crook Smith of Auburn, IN.

C.B. grew up in Albemarle and graduated from High Point University where he was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. C.B. was quoted as saying, “I felt very strongly my whole life you have to give back to the community in which you live.” He credits his college fraternity community service projects for his lifelong dedication to public service. His earliest service to Stanly County was with the March of Dimes. C.B. loved all manner of people, had a great curiosity about their lives, and won their confidence with his infectious laugh. This made him a natural to raise money for his many causes. In recent visits to potential donors for his church organ fund, he talked about his own terminal illness to inspire them to give during his lifetime.

Among his many contributions and accomplishments are: Order of the Long Leaf Pine bestowed by the Governor of NC; Stanly County Citizen of the Year; Chairman of the Stanly County Chamber of Commerce; Member of the Stanly County Board of Commissioners; Vice Chairman and Member of the Board of Trustees for the Stanly Community College; Board member of Stanly Regional Medical Center; leader of many capital campaigns for the Stanly County Family YMCA and Stanly Regional Medical Center Foundation where he was founding member; Chairman of the Stanly Society; and Trustee of Wingate University.

C.B. spent his career at Crook Motor Company. He purchased the business from his parents and transformed it from a local truck and jeep dealership into a global entity and one of the top two largest used truck dealerships in the country. After a national search for a buyer, he sold the business to his four senior managers and was most proud of their continued civic engagement and service to the community.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to the Stanly County Family YMCA, 427 North First Street, Albemarle, NC 28001

Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle is serving the Crook family.