Betty Jean Crawley Hall
April 17, 1937 – August 24, 2026
Betty Jean Crawley Hall died peacefully on August 24, 2026. She entered Heaven held in the arms of her children and grandchildren and had been surrounded by dear friends for many days.
Born on April 17, 1937, Betty was one of eight children born to Henry Claude and Mary Bert Crawley. Betty had two sisters, Claudine Kennedy and Hazel Martin, and four brothers, Bobbie, Bert, Buddy, Alton, and Ben. Betty spent a lifetime caring for her siblings, especially in their later years, and was the last surviving child.
Betty leaves behind a family who owe the best parts of themselves to her compassion, kindness, and selflessness. She is survived by her devoted husband of sixty-six years, Emmett Hall, who never left her side. She is also survived by two children, four grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. Betty had one son, Eric, and his wife, Bonita, and one daughter, Abby, and her husband, Rob Whitten. She had two granddaughters, Melissa Hall and her husband, Colby Hough, and Hannah Whitten and her husband, Joshua Robinson. She also had two grandsons, Ryan Hall and his wife, Adrea, and Leon Whitten and his wife, Rebecca. Betty had three great-granddaughters: Jaylee Hough, Lyla Hall, and Mattie Hough. She also had three great-grandsons: Maddox Hough, Reed Hall, and Oliver Robinson. Betty had a host of beloved nephews, nieces, and great nephews and nieces too.
And all of them, from the children to the great-grandchildren, cherished her.
Betty spent almost nine decades serving others. Even in her waning years, despite a long struggle with illness, she never stopped asking, “What can I do to help?” Born in Jonesboro, Louisiana, Betty lived there throughout her life, helping her community.
At First Baptist Church, Betty led the Women’s Missionary Union for more than fifty years and spread God’s love with countless acts of service. She had a particular passion for cooking and preparing meals for the elderly, sick, and sad. Betty was a saint. But forever humble and unassuming, she would never have used that word to describe herself.
A complete caregiver, “Mrs. Hall” spent her working days teaching and loving Jonesboro’s youth. She taught American History, Civics, and English at Jonesboro Hodge High School. When she wasn’t teaching in the classroom, she was teaching at her kitchen table. “Grandmother” edited paper after paper, corrected mistake after mistake, and taught her family how to learn. (Grandmother, if you see this in Heaven, we’re sorry for any mistakes. You always were the best of us.)
In her free time, “Mommie” found joy in cooking, gardening, reading, and building puzzles. She often baked a carrot cake for her son and made bread pudding for her daughter. Betty did what others couldn’t, because when her family tried to recreate that cake for a birthday, it turned into a carrot crumble. She also had a special touch for gardening. Her roses seemed more vibrant, and she even had periwinkle that grew from the cracks of her driveway. Much of her family gardens today because she showed them how to find peace in what grows from the earth. When her hands were not pruning a bush, her family remembers them holding a library book or piecing together a puzzle. But more than anything, her family remembers those small hands holding their own, guiding them through life, and giving them all of their strength.
Services for Betty Jean Crawley Hall will be held in the chapel of First Baptist Church, Jonesboro, on Friday, August 28. Visitation will take place from 9:30 am to 11:00 am. The funeral service will begin immediately following visitation at 11:00 am. A graveside service at Gayla Traina Cemetery will follow the funeral service. Serving as pallbearers will be Ryan Hall, Leon Whitten, Joshua Robinson, Colby Hough, Scott Martin, and Randy Layfield. Honorary pallbearers will be Maddox Hough, Reed Hall, and Oliver Robinson.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the WMU of First Baptist Church, Jonesboro.
Connie Lee Ashley
Nov 11, 1958 — Aug 21, 2026
Connie Lee Ashley passed away on Friday, August 21, 2026, at the age of 67. Connie was a devoted and caring woman whose life was marked by her love for family, friends, flowers, and her community. With a natural talent for working with flowers, she spent many years as a florist in both Winnfield and Jonesboro. She also faithfully served her community as a poll commissioner during elections in Jackson Parish.
For many years, Connie was actively involved with the Louisiana Forest Festival, serving as co-director of its beauty pageant and as a member of the festival board. Her love of pageantry extended far beyond the festival, as she traveled throughout Louisiana judging pageants and sharing her experience and enthusiasm with countless participants.
Connie was an avid Winnfield Senior High School football fan and rarely missed an opportunity to cheer on her team. She also loved talking on the telephone with her friends and relatives and treasured the close relationships she maintained throughout her life. Above all, Connie was deeply devoted to her family and held a special place in her heart for her nieces and nephews. She faced her illness with remarkable strength and determination, never complaining and continuing to show the fighting spirit that characterized her life.
She is survived by her brothers, Alvin Ashley, George Ashley (Jerry), Woody Ashley (Lynn), Pat Ashley (Brittany), and Chris Ashley, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
Connie was preceded in death by her father, James B. Ashley; mother, Gladys (Franks) Ashley; sister-in-law, Susie Ashley; and great-niece, Claira Ashley.
Friends may visit with the family on Thursday, August 27, 2026, from 9:00 AM until 11:00 AM at Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home Chapel in Jonesboro. Bro. Darren Fitzgerald will officiate the funeral service, which will begin at 11:00 AM in the chapel. Burial will follow in Sanders Chapel Cemetery near Calvin on LA Hwy 156 under the direction of Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home.
Serving as pallbearers will be Gary Ashley, Kevin Ashley, Payton Ashley, Bryce Ashley, Zach James, and Billy Logan.
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