Charles Cropp

Mr. Charles Clark Cropp, Sr., age 65, of Ocean Springs, MS., died with dignity, Saturday, October 29, 2005, in Pascagoula, MS., after a brief battle with cancer. Mr. Cropp was born in Escatawpa, MS., on January 4, 1940, to Vernon and Lorene Cropp. Mr. Cropp and his wife returned to the Gulf Coast nine years ago to be close to family. As a young man he earned a bachelor of arts in world history and a bachelor of science in chemical engineering at Mississippi State University. After working as a chemical engineer for International Paper Company in Mobile, AL., he returned to Mississippi State to earn his master of arts in sociology. He then continued his education at Tulane University in New Orleans where he received his doctorate in sociology. Mr. Cropp was a college professor for most of his life, and last taught at Tulane Biloxi and MGCCC Lucedale. His love of teaching was reflected in the appreciation and respect he received from his students. His intelligence and knowledge was evident to everyone, yet he remained a humble and generous mentor. Mr. Cropp loved to cook, garden, and pamper his beloved grandchildren and numerous pets. He is preceded in death by his father, Vernon Cropp, mother, Lorene Miller Cropp, sister, Voncile Seyfarth, father-in-law-, Colin Hemenway and mother-in-law, Mary Hemenway. Mr. Cropp is survived by his wife of 33 years, Sheila Hemenway-Cropp, daughter, Constance Celles Cropp of Dallas, TX., son, Charles Clark Cropp, Jr. and wife, Liz, of New Orleans, LA., brother, Herman Cropp and wife, Nell, of Pell City, Alabama, brothers-in-law, Huey Seyfarth of Houston, TX., and Stephen Hemenway of River Ridge, LA., sister-in-law, Audrey Hemenway-Gault of St. Francisville, LA., mother of his children, Barbara Cropp of Bay St. Louis, MS., granddaughters, Isabelle Cropp and Kirsten Ishikawa, grandson, Piers Cropp, and numerous nieces and nephews. On Saturday, November 5, 2005, there will be a 5:00 PM Memorial Service at the Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home, where friends may visit from 3-5 PM. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com.