Agnes Elizabeth Flood Critchelow passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on February 4th, 2024 after a beautiful 92 years of life. Agnes was born on August 23rd, 1931 with brilliant blue eyes and thick-dark hair, the fourth child of Vincent Flood and Pearl Jolly Flood of Hardinsburg. She was proud of her Scot-Irish roots. Her accent, phrasing and headstrong nature often echoed those origins. Agnes attended Flood School alongside her eight siblings. A 1951 graduate of Breckinridge County High School, she was voted “Best Dressed” by her senior class and a member of the Glee Club. Agnes liked to play the mandolin in her brother Bernard Flood’s band, dance, climb trees and care for lambs on her family farm. She was a natural athlete. Even though sporting opportunities were slim for women of her era she was fast as lightening in a foot race, could do a snake dance, jig, push mow a lawn, win a croquet match and work tobacco with ease. Agnes was sharp witted, confident, hard-working and an exceptional typist. Following high school, these qualities helped her attain positions at both South Central Bell in Owensboro and Travelers Insurance in Louisville. However, her true calling was motherhood.
Agnes married James “Franklin” Critchelow on October 29th, 1955 and they raised two children on their farm in McDaniels – a farm where all her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren still reside. Family meant everything to Agnes! Her love was unconditional, unwavering and unmatched. She helped rear her five grandchildren, delighted in her six great-grandchildren and loved many nieces and nephews. Agnes was a talented cook with meatloaf, chicken & dumplings, fried fish, hamburgers, stuffed peppers, chocolate fudge, fried apple pies, potato salad, milk shakes and cakes were but a few of her specialties. Agnes always baked birthday cakes for the family and expected everyone to have one, no matter their age or lack of party plans. She put up countless jars of green beans, tomatoes and sweet corn from the garden. She was a volunteer cafeteria cook at St. Anthony School where her children and many nieces and nephews attended. Agnes was devout in her Catholic faith and a member of St. Anthony in Axtel. For many years she ran the tea and lemonade stand at the summer picnics and worked in the kitchen at fish fries. She never missed a St. Anthony picnic, even attending this past July.
As life began to slow down Agnes enjoyed watching the birds at her feeder in the winter, humming birds and butterflies around her zinnias in the summer, word puzzles, game shows, soap operas, cold Canada Dry Ginger Ale, Oliver red wine and watching sunsets from her carport, but most of all she enjoyed her family. Agnes was preceded in death by her parents Vincent and Pearl Flood, husband Franklin Critchelow and siblings Bernard Flood, Harold Flood, Mary Eliza Wallace, Judy Hardesty, Bobby Flood and Larry Flood.
She is survived by two children Monica Jarboe (Paul) and Franklin “Dale” Critchelow (Connie)
five grandchildren Rebecca Jarboe Frank (Ben), Zach Critchelow, Deron Critchelow (Chelsea), Kirk Critchelow (Madelyn) and Chad Critchelow
six great-grandchildren Gabriel Frank, Aaron Frank, Dawson Critchelow, Wyatt Critchelow, Olly Dale Critchelow and Maya Kate Critchelow
We will remember it’s not good-bye Granny, but see you later.
Funeral services will be held at St. Anthony Catholic Church on Friday, February 9, 2024 at 11 AM with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held at Trent-Dowell Funeral Home on Thursday, 3 – 7 PM and Friday 8 – 10:30 AM. The rosary will be recited at 6:30 PM on Thursday.
Expressions of sympathy are suggested to St. Romuald Interparochial School.