The Cribb family originally from Rockingham, has been gathering for a Christmas dinner for more than a decade.
It originated in Salisbury, at the home of Patsy Klutz, while mother Cribb was still living. Since Mrs. Cribb’s death, it has grown so vastly the family relocated the dinner to the Rockingham VFW. It has become known among the family as “The Cribbs Christmas in Dixie.”
Family as far as Chicago, Illinois, come to attend the dinner and catch up with others. The most recent dinner included more than 150 Cribb family members in attendance.
“We had to move it to the VFW in Rockingham now because there’s not a home that can hold us all,” said Sandra Deese of Rockingham. “We have a blast, seeing all the family members that we wouldn’t see otherwise.”
The late Ora and Robert Cribb Sr. had 14 children and seven of them remain today. The remaining seven are the senior members that play key roles in pulling the family together for the event each year.
It has become a tradition that includes loads of gifts, games, prizes and of course food. There were four tables lined up with gifts free to all family, and two tables with cakes, pies and other sweet goodies. There were also five tables with old fashioned country cooking and fried chicken. Santa even dropped by for a visit with the children and passed out toys.
“I’ve always enjoyed doing this and I’ll keep doing it as long as I can,” said Lena Pope of Rockingham. “Then I think my son will help keep it going.”
More than 400 pairs of Wrangler jeans were passed out for the children and young adults. The jeans were donated by the U.S. War Veterans, a non-profit organization founded by Robert “Sonny” Cribb of Greensboro. Sonny also spends the majority of the event, which lasted more than five hours, being the MC.
“We’re a tight-knit family that really cares for one another,” said Sonny. “I just hope it will pass along to other families.”
— Staff Writer Cassidy Odom can be reached at 910-997-3111, ext. 16, or by email at codom@heartlandpublications.com.
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