Jeanette Gandy Crisp Odneal

The youngest of 9, Jeanette was born in Elliott, Texas, from a family of little means. Although, they did not have much, her mamma made sure her children never went without. She loved her mamma more than anything in the world and never wanted to leave her side. When it came time for school, she would cry and often run back home, but her mamma always said to her older siblings, "take her right on back".

Jeanette grew into a beautiful young lady with jet black hair and striking blue eyes. At a young age, she met and married Charles “Chubby” Lee Crisp, on October 17, 1944. Together, they had three handsome sons and one beautiful daughter.

They travelled all over Texas with many endeavors. In their later years, they bought property and settled in the small town of Hearne, Texas where many memories were made. Grandchildren running around and hearing their laughter was music to her ears. Churning homemade ice cream with fresh peaches the grandchildren picked from trees that lined the drive, was a norm. Family reunions by the creek, sitting on the porch watching grandchildren perform in the yard, playing croquet, badminton, and countless board games were just a few of the activities she enjoyed with her family.

They were members of Elliot Baptist Church, their second home, for them and for their family who visited.

Jeanette worked as a teller at the 1st National Bank in Franklin, Texas where she retired after many years. She loved her job, and customers loved her. One of them becoming her second husband, M.C. “Mason” Odneal. whom she married in February of 1992. They moved to Bryan, Texas and became members of Calvary Baptist Church. They were also members in the local senior center, and stayed active with water aerobics, bowling, and dominoes.

Years later, after the loss of Mason, Jeanette moved to Hallettsville, Texas to be closer to her daughter. She was warmly welcomed by new friends and shortly after, joined First Baptist Church. She stayed busy with her Sunday school class, volunteering at VBS, and playing dominoes on Senior Play Day once a month. She looked forward to her evening routines of Wheel of Fortune and Aggravation but was happiest when her loved ones would visit.

Jeanette loved her daughter with all her might and could not have imagined living anywhere but next to her during the last twelve years before her passing. “Her greatest joy was when a baby was born into the family.”

Jeanette is survived by her only daughter, Charlotte Ann Crisp Hale and husband, Mike Hale; twelve grandchildren: Lana Keeney, Charmane Tozier (Bobby), Donald Ray Crisp II (Tanya), Ronald Dean Crisp, James W. Albright, Lisa Huscroft (Glen), Roger Dale Crisp II (Jackie), Susan Jeanette Lentini (Chris), Kristy Crisp Swiler (Erik), Charles Alan Albright (Ashley), Andrew Crisp (Callie), Michelle Crisp, and Amanda Masters Thomas (Anthony); 23 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great-grandchildren. She embraced as her own, Jeannie Earwood, Pickle Cash, Carol King, and Shirley Burton.

Jeanette was preceded in death by her parents, Albert Gandy and Molly Lotah Gandy; two husbands, Charles Lee Crisp and M.C. Odneal; eight brothers and sisters and their spouses; three sons, Jerry, Donald, and Roger and one grandchild, Misty Crisp.

Jeanette's family will receive friends from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm, Thursday, October 13, 2022, at the Memorial Funeral Chapel in Bryan. Funeral services will be at 11:00 am, Friday, at Elliott Baptist Church, 7390 W. Highway 79, Hearne, Texas with committal services following at Norwood Cemetery in Hearne.

Honoring Jeanette as pallbearers are her grandchildren Donnie Crisp, James W. Albright, Roger Crisp, Charles "Alan" Albright, Andy Crisp, and Koby Mica.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Elliott Baptist Church of Hearne or to First Baptist Church of Hallettsville.

A message from Nanny:

John reminds us, the minute we trust by faith the name of Jesus, the son of God, and accept his gift of salvation, we can know eternal life is ours. Life is temporary. Our real home is in heaven, where we will spend eternity with our Savior. Jesus went to prepare a place for us, and we can face death unafraid. Because we have a great and merciful God, who loves us with an everlasting love, He has promised us eternal life because His promises are true.