C.M. Chick McCracken
November 19, 1909 ~ September 16, 2006
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Former F.B.I. agent and Buncombe County educator, C.M. "Chick" McCracken, 96, passed away on September 16, 2006 after a brief illness. A native of North Carolina he resided his last year at Eden Terrace in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
Born in Fairview, North Carolina on November 19, 1909, he was the son of Cicero McAfee McCracken and Helen Clayton McCracken. He was the widower of Evelyn Austin McCracken. He was retired from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Buncombe County School System. He was a lifetime member of Calvary Baptist Church.
He is survived by a daughter, Alice McCracken Hurst and husband David Hurst of Spartanburg, South Carolina, grandsons Asher and Daniel Hurst; a son James Austin McCracken and wife Nancy Woodell McCracken of Greensboro, North Carolina, granddaughter Carrie McCracken Cowan and husband Newton Cowan, great grand daughters Mary Mac and Ellie Cowan, grandson, David Ian McCracken of Greensboro and great grandson Riley Mark Austin McCracken. He is also survived by sisters Lura McCracken Roberts of Phoenix, Arizona, and Ruth McCracken Wells of Brevard, North Carolina and brother Julian McCracken of Fairview, North Carolina.
The son of a country doctor, he attended Fairview High School, graduated from Biltmore High School, and was admitted to the North Carolina Bar after earning a law degree from Wake Forest College. McCracken joined the FBI the year before the attack on Pearl Harbor leaving a job as principal of what was then Weaverville High School. His first assignment was in Detroit, Michigan. He was transferred to the Knoxville, Tennessee office and served for three years as resident agent in Chattanooga. He was transferred to the Charlotte, NC office in November, 1948, and was assigned as resident agent of the Asheville office on January 1, 1950. He became senior resident agent here in 1951.
Following his retirement from the bureau in 1965, McCracken returned to his first love serving as principal of Pisgah Elementary School. After his second retirement, he and his wife, Evelyn enjoyed spending winters in Winter Haven, Florida and summers in their home in Asheville.
The family will receive visitors at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 19, 2006 at the Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue with funeral services to follow at 11:00 a.m. The Rev. Dr. Buddy Corbin will officiate. Interment will follow at Green Hills Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Calvary Baptist Church, 531 Haywood Road, Asheville, NC 28806, or to the Children's Home Society of North Carolina, 604 Meadow Street, Greensboro, NC 27405.
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Chick’s Family, When Chick and Evelyn built their first house on Trotter Pl. in W. Asheville I was in the 3rd. grade and lived across the street. Evelyn was the daughter of Frank Austin of the old Morris-Austin Hardware and Lumber Co. on Haywood Rd. I remember his being Principal of the Old Haw Creek School and I knew him also when he was with the FBI. Chick was always a special person. Please know we are thinking of you and will hold you in our prayers. My sister lives near his home in Malvern Hills and we were by his house this past week. We do hope it helps in some small way to know that others do care.
A magnificent, thoughtful man who always had a smile on his face and kind words to say to you, Uncle Chick is now with his beloved Evelyn. The two of them are angels in heaven looking out for Alice and her family, and for Jay and his extended family. Uncle Chick was a person who exhibited the highest of ethics and integrity, and embodied the word ‘class.’? As the family mourns his passing and reflects upon their life with him, may they be comforted by their many wonderful memories of Uncle Chick’?may these reflections and recollections forever bring a smile to their faces and a warm glow to their hearts. May God bless all of you and may Uncle Chick rest in peace. Our prayers and thoughts are with you.
May God’s grace and peace be yours
in abundance.
Dearest Alice, Dave, Asher & Daniel,
Our deepest condolences to you and your family at this saddest of times. We remember fondly Chick’s quiet dignity and gentle manner.
May the warmth of your memories and the love of your family and friends surround you and sustain you in your grief.
We wre fortunate to be friends and neighbors to Chick and Lura for several years. Our prayers and Love go to the loved ones left behind.In sympathy, Gilmer and Chris Boyd.
Alice and Jay, it is sad to see that Chick has passed on. He and your Mom were such great friends to me through the years! Know that your parents loved you both very much and feel comfort that they were such grand, loving, thoughtful people. Love, Jane Anne
My deepest condolences to you and the rest of the family. Looking at Uncle Chick’s life reflects the great man he was, someone who I look up to and admire, as well as one of the kindest people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. My prayers are with you in this sad time, as many prayers have been with me in these last months.
Alice
I was sorry to hear abut your dad’s passing. He was such a good man and I always enjoyed getting to see him-in later years mostly when visiting back at Calvary. Your family was so special to me growing up and your Mother and Dad were so sweet about allowing all of us to spend time at your house. Those memories will last forever. I will keep you in my prayers
Kathryne-
We will miss your father. He was such a joy to know. We shared many good times at church and with our families in earlier years. Our prayers will be with your family.
Alice & Jay,
I was sorry to hear about your father. I know he is in a better place and there were many to welcome him. I wish I had been able to attend the service and meet you both. Dad (Ronnie Phillips) was so fond of Chick.
Sincerely,
Angela Wyatt
(828) 665-0897
Chick was a wonderful person and an outstanding representative of the FBI.He was highly respeced by all of us who served with him in the FBI.
I spent a lot of time talking to Chick in the last few years.We were in the same Sunday School Class and I was as he put it ‘his favorite van driver’ after he got to where he couldn’t drive his car.He will be dearly missed by all at Calvery. Thank you for loaning him to us for a while. He was a great person.
I first met MrMcCraken at the age of 12 when I was a student at Pisgah Elementary School in 1973. Now at 44,I will never forget him. He graced my life with his. He was a true role model to me.
Alice & Family… We were so sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing, you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. One of the hardest things in life is losing a parent, may you be blessed with the peace and joy of knowing that he had a rich and full life here on earth and that he’s now in a far better place. We’re in Maine and are unable to attend services, however please know you are in our thoughts.
Jerry & Carol Hagan
Dear Alice, Dave, Asher and Daniel,
I am truly sorry to hear about Mr. McCracken’s passing. Please know that you are all in my thoughts during this tough time.
Alice,
I am sorry for your loss. I know how fond my father (Ronnie Phillips) was of him and you and wish he had been able to attend the service. Please call sometime when you have a chance. I know you are busy right now.
Thinking of you,
Angela Wyatt
Dear Ruth, Joseph & Family;
Just returned home the 21st to find Chick’s listing of death. Dad often talked about Chick & Marvin, as a mater of fact I was named after Marvin. I meet Chick in the 80’s after he joined the Buncombe Co School system and he talked about his boyhood in Fairview. Please accept my condolence . My prayers are for the family. Marvin A Ledbetter