Jean Davis Crockett died at home surrounded by loved ones on July 23rd.

Jean was born to Neida Wright Davis and Austin Davis in the community of Santee in 1929.

After the family moved to McLaurin, she graduated from Forrest County Agricultural High School.

She later moved to Jackson where she met her husband Ed.

They lived in Jackson, eventually moving to Caledonia, Illinois, for Ed’s job. After raising her three children to high school age,

Jean began to work towards completing her higher education and received her B.A. from Rockford College in Rockford, Illinois.

After returning to Mississippi, she completed her Master’s Degree from the University of Southern Mississippi.

She taught elementary school in Illinois and in Sumrall. She loved teaching and looked forward to going to work each day.

In 1990, she was named “Teacher of the Year” at Sumrall Elementary.

Painting and writing were her hobbies. Favorite subjects were scenes from her childhood in Jefferson Davis County where the family lived on a small farm.

“Everyone has a book to write” was her philosophy so she wrote and published two novels also featuring the history and lifestyle of rural Mississippi.

She and her husband Ed were married for 70 years. They enjoyed traveling and visited 21 countries and most of the United States–sometimes by motorcycle!

Jean and her husband were members of Westover Baptist Church early after they moved to Hattiesburg, where Jean organized the library.

They have been long term members of Magnolia Baptist Church where Jean helped to organize children’s activities.

She attended both Sunday School and church faithfully every Sunday that she was able, and her church family brightened and strengthened her life.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, two sisters, two brothers and a grandson.

Survivors include her three children Jeanine Crockett, Chris Crockett, Zack Crockett and wife Jamie, granddaughter Lluvia Musgrave and husband Troy, grandson Cedric Crockett and wife Tessa, granddaughter Liorah Crockett and granddaughter Quinn Crockett. She has four great grandchildren: Tristan and Rowan Musgrave and Jaxtyn and Hudson Crockett.

Jean lived a very positive and happy life in her own home in her later years, assisted by many who cared for her.

She enjoyed frequent visits in her home from friends and family and took many trips out to lunch and museums.

She also took a special trip to the Southwest to visit her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

The family extends a special thank you to her loving and wonderful caregivers Ann Green, Regina Porter, Sonya Lowery, Shanta Cooley, Dorothy House, and Cathy Seal, and to special family friends Marilyn Everhart and Kenneth Lott, who all did so much.

Visitation was held Monday, July 29, 2024, from 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. at Magnolia Baptist Church with services beginning at 11:30 a.m.

A reception followed in the church fellowship hall. A private family graveside service will take place at a later time in Highland Cemetery.