Crystal Marie Lafield
January 18, 1984 – December 25, 2025
Crystal Marie (Wyllie) LaField, age 41, passed away at 8:34 a.m. on December 25, 2025, in Ruston, Louisiana.
Crystal was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, and raised in Shongaloo, Louisiana. Crystal was the beloved daughter of Marianne Wise Bassinger and her husband, Rudy Bassinger, and of George David Wyllie.
Crystal had a deep love for the outdoors. Camping and fishing were among her favorite pastimes, and she found peace and joy hiking and kayaking. Some of her most cherished memories were made spending time outside with the people she loved most.
Above all else, Crystal loved her family. She was adamant about family time and especially treasured “sister time.” She was a devoted and loving mother to her two children, Justin Ryan Harstad and Julianna Jade Harstad, who were the light of her life and meant more to her than anything in the world. She was also a caring and intentional stepmother to Johnathan LaField, Logan LaField, and Kailey LaField, always striving to ensure they never felt displaced and were fully embraced as part of her heart.
Crystal was a proud grandmother to Addalyn, Hagen, and Brantley. Her grandchildren brought her immense joy and peace, and she delighted in spoiling her “babies” every chance she got.
She was affectionately known as the “Fun Aunt”—silly, loud, playful, and sometimes hilariously inappropriate, but always full of love. Crystal never missed an opportunity to get hugs and kisses from the kids and would happily chase them down if she had to.
As a daughter, Crystal loved spending time with her mother, venturing, and cutting up in Arkansas. She loved hiking and seeing nature’s beauty alongside her mom. As a wife, Crystal enjoyed fishing and ‘grandbaby time’ with Gerald. And as a mother, Crystal loved caring for her children. She always strived to be the best mom she could be. Everywhere with Justin & Julie was her favorite place to be.
As a sister, Crystal was deeply loving and fiercely protective. She treasured trips with her sisters, especially to Arkansas, with Albert Pike being her favorite place to visit together. She was also a wonderful sister-in-law to Wendy, Scott, Brenda, Kim, Joshua, and Timmy, and held special memories with them at Grand Isle, Louisiana.
Crystal was intelligent, empathetic, and full of emotion and love. She was a hard worker, creative, and often the center of attention—simply because of her presence. She was always present, always checking in, and always making sure the people she loved felt remembered and cared for. She never met a stranger and had a way of making everyone feel seen.
Crystal is survived by her husband, Gerald Lynn LaField; her children, Justin Ryan Harstad and Julianna Jade Harstad; her stepchildren, Johnathan LaField, Logan LaField, and Kailey LaField; her grandchildren, Addalyn Combs, Hagen McConathy, and Brantley McConathy; her parents, Marianne Wise Bassinger and George David Wyllie; her stepfather, Rudy Bassinger; her siblings, Charity Farmer, Bridget Bailey, BreAnna Bridges, Timothy Wyllie, Dakota Wyllie, and Elizabeth Wyllie; along with numerous extended family members and friends who loved her deeply.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Marvin Kennon Wise and Doris Jean Wise; her uncle, Gary Marvin Wise; her mother-in-law, Carolyn LaField; and her beloved niece, Bella Roy.
While her passing leaves an immeasurable ache, her family finds comfort in knowing Crystal has been reunited with those she loved so dearly. Crystal will be remembered for her big heart, her laughter, her fierce love for family, and the way she made everyone feel important. She will be profoundly missed by all who were blessed to
know and love her.
A public viewing will be held from 12:00 -2:00 pm on Monday, December 29th, in the Paradise Funeral Home Chapel located at 127 6th Street in Jonesboro, Louisiana, followed by a Life Celebration service.
“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” – Psalm 34:18
Barbara Jean Hearn
August 8, 1940 – December 20, 2025
Barbara Jean Lester Hearn was born on August 8, 1940, to the late James and Ruth Lester of Chicago, Illinois. As an only child, affectionally and proudly referred to by her mother as being her “Golden Guinea”, Barbara was a loving, attentive and committed daughter.
As the child of two hard-working Christian parents who moved from Holly Springs, Mississippi, to Chicago, Illinois, in search of and hopes for a better life, Barbara’s parents instilled in her the importance and value of hard work and a commitment to improving one’s life.
Growing up in the projects on the West Side of Chicago, it was with great ambition, determination, and unwavering focus, fueled by a deep desire to better herself and her position in life, that Barbara relentlessly worked to maintain the high standards and achieve the life goals that she set for herself.
In this same spirit, throughout her life, she also diligently and lovingly worked with and encouraged others, young and old, to believe in their potential and exert their minds and bodies to better themselves, their neighborhoods and communities, and the world around them in general.
Barbara attended Chicago Public Schools and graduated from Lucy Flower High School in 1959. Afterwards, she attended Chicago Teachers College, which is now known as Chicago State University. Successfully completing her undergraduate studies in 1964, Barbara earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education- Home Economics, and she later continued her education to earn a Master’s Degree and several professional certifications.
Directly after earning her bachelor’s degree, she became a Home Economics Teacher in the Chicago Public Schools at Wendell Phillips High School in 1964. She worked there, educating and touching the lives of many children, for thirty-three years until her retirement in 1997. She loved teaching and working with the youth and was always ready to mentor and lend advice.
It was at Phillips High School that Barbara met the “Love of her Life,” Fred Hearn, Jr., whom she wed in August 1968. He preceded her in death in March 2015. During their 46 ½ years of marriage, they became the proud parents of one son, Fred Hearn, III.
Being obedient to the Church Covenant, on September 9, 1968, Barbara joined The New Progressive Missionary Baptist Church, where she was devoted and committed to God and her fellowmen. Through the years, she served and participated in many church committees, programs, and community outreach efforts. She also served as a Sunday School Teacher who thoughtfully and thoroughly prepared to provide biblically based, informative, engaging, relatable, and “actionable” lessons to others.
Barbara was an innate giver and activist who lived a life of selfless, constant, and quiet servitude and outreach to others, meaning she tirelessly gave of herself, her talents, her time, her knowledge, her encouragement, her constructive and uplifting critiques, her wisdom, and her resources without public announcements or a desire to receive acknowledgement or praise for her works. While her involvement, leadership, and contributions are too many to list or even remember, the following are just a few of her good deeds.
With a strong commitment and affinity for helping children, after retirement, Barbara worked for several tutoring programs, and she taught at the American School, which is a long-standing non-profit, accredited distance education provider for homeschool and credit recovery students. Through her involvement in such programs, she met a group of siblings and a cousin with a family background of being non-graduates from high school. She adopted them, as well as they adopted her, as “Freddie’s extra siblings” to whom she most often affectionately referred as “her little people.”
Through her love, commitment, and guiding efforts with “her little people,” which also entailed assisting their mother and grandmother at times, Barbara helped them break their generational curse, with four of the children becoming high school graduates.
Closer to home, her efforts included being the head of the 9200 Constance Block Club, through which she advocated for and collaborated with her neighbors to ensure the upkeep of their neighborhood and foster socially productive relationships and initiatives.
Also, as evidenced by her influx of thank-you and reminder mail to give again, she donated to countless non-profit organizations and programs across the nation, and she was sure to keep dollar bills at hand to share with the less fortunate members of her community. Last, but certainly not least, Barbara’s goodwill even extended to animals, especially their beloved cat Iggy, whom she welcomed from the streets into the family home and hearts and provided with a life of luxury. Iggy’s presence and greetings to visitors in the Hearn’s home were an unspoken representation of Barbara’s commitment to advocacy for all less fortunate beings.
Anyone who knew Barbara knew her to be a stylish diva who enjoyed traveling throughout both the nation and the world, including travels to England, France, West Africa, the Caribbean, and occasional trips to New York for shopping or to “catch a show on Broadway.”
As an embodiment and representation of who she was as a lady to be admired and a diva to be imitated, her attitude and attire, as well as her home décor, were always impeccable and in fine taste. Without words or sounds, Barbara’s entrance, which, as best described by her son as “floating into a room”, naturally and effortlessly commanded the attention of all, for she was a lady well-deserving of admiration and respect for a life well-lived and a legacy of her accomplishments, selfless giving, caring demeanor, and straightforward, yet loving personality.
She leaves to cherish her memory: one eternally loving son, Fred III; one daughter-in-law and self-proclaimed favorite child Lillie; three adoring grandchildren, Maya Bonner (Corey), Fred IV, and Doris Carlyn; one precious great-granddaughter, A’riyah; two special sisters [in-laws], Austrial and Mary (a special brother [in-law], Joe); one special brotherly cousin-in-law, James; one niece Anea (Larry, Jr.); one nephew, JoShaun (Zakiya); great-nieces, LaNea (Emmanuel), LaTrice, and Leyah; and great-nephews Larry III, Jaden, and JoShaun, Jr.; a special cousin Shirley; best friends Konora and Bertha; a good neighbor, Rufus; numerous godchildren; and a host of loving relatives, friends, and church family.
Visitation is set for 5:00 – 6:00 pm on Sunday, December 28, 2025, in the Paradise Funeral Home Chapel. Her Life Celebration service will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, December 29, 2025, at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Jonesboro under the direction of Paradise Funeral Home.