November 7, 1950 to December 24, 2010
A wonderful life.
Jan Rose Cromwell began this world as Jan Rooney Rose on November 7, 1950. She is the daughter of Jack and Mildred Rose of Fort Smith, AR. She attended First Lutheran School and was a lifelong member of First Lutheran Church. She graduated Southside High School in 1968. She described her childhood as rich, imaginative and vibrant. Jan obtained both her Bachelors and Juris Doctorate degrees from the University of Arkansas. Named a "Razorback Beauty" she was a member as well as president of the Arkansas chapter of Pi Beta Phi sorority.
On March 11, 1972 she married Bill Cromwell. They shared many adventures, a deep love and full life over their nearly 40-year marriage. Most recently, they traveled together on a 3-week summer road trip of the West. Amazingly after the 2000-mile journey, Bill and Jan returned home with both the car and their marriage intact.
They began their life together in Fayetteville and moved to Fort Smith in 1976. They joined her father in private practice in the firm of Rose, Kinsey, and Cromwell. Her legal career included over 20 years in practice, several cases that set legal precedent in Arkansas, and sitting as a Special Justice on the Arkansas Supreme Court. Her unique ability to listen with honest compassion and concern was a driving force of the dedication she felt both to her clients and to the field of law.
Two of her greatest joys in life were her children Crosby and Joseph Cash. She remains a steadfast force in their lives. It was vital to her to ensure that they walked through life learning from and emulating her courage, grace, integrity and deep-rooted goodness. Jan cannot be present to influence any future grandchildren, but knows her children will ensure that she will forever be a guiding influence in their children's lives.
Jan's tenacity was unfathomable. She lived as a whirlwind. In life she championed many roles - Attorney, Mother, Daughter, Wife, Girl Scout leader, soccer mom, and resident chef. She secretly would have loved to add author or journalist to the list. She loved to cook and to read cookbooks. She had a pronounced internal rivalry with Julia Child and adored languishing over her holiday menus. Her family strives daily to rival her unwavering loyalty and love.
On Christmas Eve, Jan left this world with unearthly grace ending a 20-year battle with Lupus. She is survived by a myriad of friends and loved ones. Her legacy lives on most in her husband Bill, her children Crosby, Joseph Cash, daughter-in-law Cara and her mother, Mildred Rose.
A celebration of her life will be held at 10:00 A.M. Thursday, December 30, 2010 at Edwards Funeral Home Chapel. Visitation with the family will be Wednesday, December 29, 2010, from 5 PM to 7 PM at Edwards Funeral Home. Cremation is under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.
Donations may be made in her honor at the Good Samaritan Clinic, 615 North B Street, Fort Smith, AR 72901.
Online condolences may be sent to www.edwardsfuneralhome.com
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