Vernell ”Nell” Crain, 89, of Jonesboro, AR, passed away on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, at Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House. She was born on April 17, 1935, in Marietta, Mississippi to Carl and Marie (Timms) McAnally. Nell attended the Melton School of Business and worked at Riceland Foods as the president’s secretary for 10 years before leaving to go into business with her husband Bill, establishing and maintaining the office of Crain Electric Heating and Air. Nell proudly taught teenage girls in Sunday school for over 20 years, and she and Bill taught young married couples as well. She was a member of Walnut Street Baptist Church and was a member of the Auxiliary of Gideons International. Her 6 sisters were her best friends, and they enjoyed getting together and playing cards. She loved to travel, read, spend time with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, and sit in her sunroom admiring her flowers.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband of 67 years, William ”Bill” Crain; brother Arthur ”Bud” McAnally; and sisters Sue Cox and Paula Fisher.
Left to cherish the memory of Nell are her son, Mark (Jamie) Crain; daughter Donna (Kevin) Jones; grandchildren Walker (Brittany) Crain, Kathryne (Sergio Baquero-Cachero) Crain, and Victoria Jones; great grandchildren Liam and Ian; brother Larry (Sherry) McAnally; sisters Mary Hatley, Jean (Ken) Short, Wanda (Eric) Smith, and Cindy Dugan, who was also a devoted caregiver to Nell, along with Rebecca (Becky) Rogers, Kay Tabor, and Danielle Wilkinson; and many nieces, nephews, loved ones and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 2pm on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at Roller Farmers Union Funeral Home 1900 W. Washington Ave. Jonesboro, AR. Grey Falanga and Jerry Parker will officiate.
Visitation will be on Monday, July 22, 2024, from 5-7pm at the funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made in Nell’s honor to The Gideons International (www.gideons.org/) or to the Walnut Street Baptist Church (www.walnutstreetbaptist.org/)
Arrangements are under the care of Roller Farmers Union Funeral Home.