All mothers are special but Willa Dean was exceptional. Her tremendous love of God and family encompassed all who knew her. Her sacrifices are too numerous to count and her devotion to loved ones was insurmountable. Her strength, understanding and caring nature gave us all an insight to what it means to live a full and meaningfull life. But, above all, she could and would see the joy of living, always able to find something to laugh about, something to raise the spirit. Her glass was forever half full and her legacy will be cherished by the generations to follow. The void will be great here on earth, lest a blink of an eye in heaven. She was (as Marty said) a vivacious soul and we love her dearly.
Saturday, February 15, 2014

Dear Jim and Tesha, thanks for sharing your wonderful doll of a mother and brother Jimmy with us that Christmas in Grand Junction. Sometimes all we need is to see "passing by" to know that we've been in the presence of a child of The King.
May your hearts be comforted to know that Willa Dean is present with The Lord and that you will meet again where all the righteous and innocent go. We love you. Tony and Venessa
Thursday, February 13, 2014

All my love and prayers to family and friends, hugs and kisses

Thursday, February 13, 2014

It's been 50 years since I've seen Aunt Willa, when they moved to Texas, but I can still hear her laugh! My Grampa and Gramma (Marcus & Charlie Crews) loved their family and taught that love of family to me. Even though I didn't get to meet many of the Crews family, I feel like I always knew them because of sitting on the front porch hearing the stories from Grampa, Gramma and Aunt Weda. We've traveled to Lawrenceburg several times and walked through the Crews Cemetary; went to the lake; Aunt Mamye's and Aunt Sue's.....most precious memories. This world was a better place with all the Crews' in it! We send sympathy to Aunt Willa's family. Love & Hugs, Marty & Linda (Moritz) Gross (I am Jewell's daughter)
Wednesday, February 12, 2014

what a gorgeous woman! the world has lost a true steel magnolia. Gramma, TOTALLY been there and done that-gone through the worst and best that life has to offer- things that would test the soul of a saint, yet she never faltered. all steel yet soft and squeezy on the inside.... Always able and ready to put a smile on anyone’s face, with her spunky, quick-witted, down-home southern, prankster, mindset. Never less than sharp as a tack, she knew everything (she did), had a story for everyone, and knew how to get to the moral of the story with stunning grace, or audacious frankness. “Bless your hort.” Hers’ was a vivacious soul that touched everyone whom she met, and shined through her life, right on into heaven. I know it was sheer bliss, and ignorance, that kept me thinking she would just be there, just last……..forever. And she will, last. But I already miss her so much, her laugh, her jokes, some of her cooking, ;-), hollering for ‘jimmy!’, her hugs, loving life and people... she’s already hiding and scaring all her peeps who were patiently waiting for her to join the party… I love you, and pray i can be a quarter of the person you were!
Friday, February 7, 2014