Carolyn Crinkley

Carolyn McIver Crinkley, 62, of Colonial Heights Virginia, died Thursday, November 11, 2021 after a valiant battle with ovarian cancer.  She is the loving daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Randolph D. McIver, and the sister of Mary Katherine McIver Shelley (Jimmy). Carolyn is the devoted wife of 32 years to James E. Crinkley Jr. and the proud mother of Sarah Elizabeth Crinkley and Stuart Andrew Crinkley, all Colonial Heights. Carolyn graduated from Longwood College in 1981 and was a lifelong educator who began her career as a student teacher in Boydton, VA before becoming a full-time math teacher in the Colonial Heights School system for the next 29 years, retiring in 2020. She took a 13-year break to raise her two children and then continued her career as a 6th grade math teacher, until her recent retirement. She was the quintessential math teacher everyone wished they had. While class was going on, you hated math. When it was over, you could do math in your head. She was one of the best teachers, if not the best, you would ever encounter. Carolyn received the Colonial Heights Middle School Teacher of the Year honors and was selected as the Colonial Heights Public Schools’ 2019 Teacher of the Year.  Her students also acquired a lifetime teacher who kept in touch with them, continued to guide them, and became a model for many future educators. As she balanced her teaching career, she also placed her family in the forefront serving as the school PTSO chairman to After-Prom co-chairman to Girl Scout cookie mom. When Carolyn committed to a project, she was all in. She sponsored cheerleading at Colonial Heights Junior High and was a member of ADK, the honorary teaching sorority. As her children grew, she became the ultimate team mom to so many and a sports taxi for both daughter, Sarah and son, Stuart. A lifelong Colonial Heights Colonial who turned into an avid Wahoo fan, there was nothing more enjoyable than taking the trek to Charlottesville with her family. You would see her smile the most either there or at her childhood love-Atlantic Beach. She was a member of Covenant Presbyterian Church in Petersburg, and later Blackstone Presbyterian Church in Blackstone. She also was an active member of the Swift Creek Federated Women’s Club. A memorial service and celebration of life will be held on Saturday, November 20, 2021 at 1:00 PM in the Colonial Heights High School Gymnasium 3600 Conduit Road Colonial Heights, Virginia 23834 immediately followed by an outdoor reception.  Masks will be required for the indoor ceremony portion. There will also be a short “meet the family” gathering after the regular Sunday service on November 21st at the Blackstone Presbyterian Church, 301 Church St., Blackstone, Virginia. The family thanks the staff at the St. Francis Infusion Center for the care given to Carolyn over the past three years. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be sent to CancerDancer, PO Box 70252, Henrico, VA  23255 or online at https://www.ocancerdancer.org/donate . Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Colonial Heights Chapel of E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes and Crematory 2033 Boulevard Colonial Heights, Virginia 23834. Condolences may be registered at www.ealvinsmall.com.