Crystal Jesse, 60, of Greenwood, Arkansas passed away Saturday, February 25, 2023 in a local hospital. She was born April 20, 1962 in Fort Smith, Arkansas to J.D. and Emma Lou (Hollingsworth) Howell. Crystal was a devout Christian having accepted Jesus as her Savior at an early age. Her faith never wavered. She was a member of Free Range Cowboy Church.
At the age of 13, while in junior high school, she met Dave Jesse. From that point on, they were almost inseparable. Crystal and Dave were married on September 26, 1981. The couple was blessed with two daughters, Leigh, born March of 1983 and Lorin, born January of 1985.
Crystal worked at the First National Bank in Fort Smith for more than 25 years, starting when she was in high school. Later she found a job and a company where she truly felt at home, Chick-fil-A in Fort Smith. Her coworkers became like family to her. She worked first in catering, then marketing before retiring.
Crystal was a loving, caring person who truly cared about the people in her life. Love came easy for her and when she told you she loved you, she meant it.
Crystal hobbies and pleasures were the simple things in life, including spoiling her four grandchildren, reading, a good meal, traveling, walking on the beach, sitting on her front porch or under the umbrella in the backyard by the pool, a night out, sitting by the fireplace on a cold night, riding motorcycles, or horses. She was creative and enjoyed her rock garden and decorating the yard with pieces she had made.
She is preceded in death by her father J.D. Howell. Crystal is survived by her husband of 41 years, Dave Jesse; daughter, Leigh Christian and husband, Shawn of Fort Smith; daughter, Lorin Nhongvongsithi and husband, Roger of Greenwood; mother, Emma Lou Howell of Fort Smith; brother, Steve Howell and wife, Rebecca of Fort Smith; four grandchildren, Steven, Nathan, Lexton and Olivia and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral service will be 10 a.m., Friday, March 3 at the Free Range Cowboy Church in Greenwood, Arkansas with burial at Mount Harmony Cemetery under the direction of McConnell Funeral Home of Greenwood. Visitation with the family will be Thursday from 5 – 7 p.m. at the funeral home.
To share a memory or leave a message for the family, please visit www.mcconnellfh.com.
