THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 16, 1995 TAG: 9504140127
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close Up
DATELINE: SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY LENGTH: Medium: 66 lines
MARY D. CRIBB is a pistol-packing Mama.
She regularly takes to the road with her gun, but she also wears the badge of a Southampton County sheriff's deputy.
Cribb became a deputy about 12 years ago, after hearing by word-of-mouth that a position was open.
She has never regretted the decision, she said. ``This is a man's world,'' Cribb acknowleged, ``but most of the time I do all right. I have the respect of the public.''
She said, ``I am constantly working with the public, and I really try to help people in some small way every day, whether they're in trouble or not.''
Most of the time, Cribb is assigned to the Southampton County Courthouse as a bailiff. But, you can also find her riding the roads, serving subpoenas for trials, working special activities in the county and running radar on county roads.
``I wouldn't do anything else,'' she said. ``I love it.''
Name: Mary D. Cribb.
What brought you to Southampton County? I was born and raised in Branchville.
Birthdate: Nov. 14, 1943.
Marital status: Married.
Children: Kevin, 20; and Susan, 23.
Favorite movie: ``Silence of the Lambs.''
Favorite magazine: ``Computer Life.''
A book you wish everyone would read: T.R. Person's ``A Short History of a Small Place,'' a great book about Southern life and all its complexities.
Favorite night out on the town: I like to go to people's homes, sit around with friends.
Favorite bar or restaurant: Any restuarant that's quiet, dimly lit, clean and has good seafood. I like Spinakers.
Favorite food: Steamed shrimp with hot butter.
Few people know . . . that beyond this outer hard shell I wear is a very sensitive person.
Worst habit: Demanding too much of myself.
Pets: I used to teach dog obedience, and I had a minature schnauzer. I now have a dog named ET, and my daughter has a cat named Cornflake.
Hobbies: Computers and leather work.
Ideal vacation: When we take time off, we usually visit family members we haven't seen for some time.
Pet peeve: People who are insensitive to the feelings of others.
First job: Picking cotton and cutting grass for people in the community.
Worst job: Grading eggs.
What achievements are you most proud of? Earning a college degree and then coming home to Southampton County to teach high school. Working with the youth in my husband's church, giving them positive leadership to make them outstanding individuals. Working for the Southampton County Sheriff's Department, trying help people every day - a friendly smile, a listening ear, a word of encouragement, along with a little praise.
What would you like on your epitaph? ``In some small way, she made a difference.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
by CNB