Charla Ellen Cribb

Obituary For Charla Ellen Cribb

Charla Ellen Cribb, known as “Nanny Kenwood” because of her tireless efforts to preserve and promote the 375-acre St. Petersburg residential area known for its historic bungalows, died Jan. 6 at her home in Gainesville, Ga. She was 74.

During her nearly 40 years as part of the Historic Kenwood Neighborhood Association, Charla dedicated herself to the group. Her promotion of BungalowFest, a tour of homes and gardens in Kenwood, was a key factor in the event’s growth.

She helped organize Kenwood Kids, a social event designed to give younger parents and their children a chance to meet and bond. An artist herself, she was involved with the Artist Enclave of Historic Kenwood, a group of artists who live in the district.

Charla was born in the Bay Area of Northern California. She began her journalism career in the late 1970s, starting as a freelance writer and becoming an award-winning features/news reporter for The Evening Independent. When the Independent folded in 1986, she became a reporter for the St. Petersburg Times.

She went on to use her marketing and public relations skills to promote Goodwill Industries and Freedom Scientific. She later founded Visual Panache, a graphic design and marketing business. Many of her artistic creations were shared at art shows and galleries and online, including Facebook.

Music and pride in her heritage also played a major role in Charla’s life.

She frequently sang and played guitar and dulcimer at folk music community events. In addition, she was a founding member of the Florida Folk Music Association and a longtime board member of the St. Petersburg International Folk Fair Society (SPIFFS).

Charla embraced her heritage by founding the American Indian Cultural Society of St. Petersburg.

She moved to Georgia in 2018 to be near family.

She is survived by a daughter, Krissandra Wasel, of Gainesville, Ga.; a son, William Wasel, of St. Petersburg; a sister, Pam Kovaks, of Melbourne, Fla.; a brother, Michael Horman, of Seattle, Wash., and three grandchildren.

End-of-life services are being provided by Central Cremation Services in Gainesville, Georgia.

A Celebration of Life Supper will be held Jan. 15, 3:30 p.m., at Hacienda Bar and Grill in Dawsonville, Ga. Another memorial celebration is scheduled Feb. 19 in St. Petersburg. Details are pending.

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, if you would like to honor Charla with a donation, the family suggests donating to Historic Kenwood Kids at www.historickenwood.org. Use the "DONATE" button on the website and make a note that the donation is "In honor of Charla Cribb for Kenwood Kids".