Sarah Joann DeLisle Crider

Sarah Joann DeLisle Crider, age 85, of Mena, Arkansas, passed away peacefully the afternoon of June 20^th, 2022, surrounded by family and special friends which cared for her at the Green House Cottages.

Joann was born in Dallas, Texas, on April 4^th, 1937. Joann was adopted by her loving parents Ralph Burdett DeLisle and Lennie Grace DeLisle of Lewisville, Texas. Her birth mother was Zenobia Moore. Joann lived a very interesting and complex life, the kind that movies are made about, she was a strong woman, a survivor, and as beautiful as an actress. Joann met Bill, her husband of 48 years, while working at LTV in Ft. Worth, Texas; they married and moved to Mena in 1969. Together they were blessed with eight children, in an “Eight is Enough” kind of way, and many grand & great-grandchildren. Joann loved her children and was the most wonderful grandmother.

 In Mena, Joann worked in retail management, was a business owner of Crider’s Crafts, Antiques, & Ceramics—she taught ceramic classes at her shop. Joann was mostly known for her gift as an artist, she loved to craft and could paint just about anything. She especially loved painting big cats, so much that she adopted one at Turpentine Creek, a wildlife refuge in northern Arkansas. Joann was a member of the Ouachita Arts & Craft Guild and Chair for the Mountain Fest Event at Queen Wilhelmina State Park for several years. Joann loved her pets as much as she loved her children, from horses to cats to her beloved dogs—she was an animal lover. Among some of her other gifts, she was an amazing cook and baker. Her chocolate and coconut cream pies, Italian Cream cake & her Red Velvet cake were to die for, and she loved baking for those that were special to her. Family game nights were some of the most remembered, she always had the most fun and loved to beat Bill. Joann loved to camp, she & Bill spent many miles on the road to Lake Tawakoni in Texas and many other campgrounds. Joann was of the Baptist faith and a member at Salem Baptist Church.

Joann was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Belvin “Bill” Crider; a sister, Georgette; a daughter, Mary Owens; and a grandson, Shane Owens.

Joann is survived by her daughters, Brenda Ladd of Ft. Worth, TX; Patsy Abbott and husband, Vernon of Covington, TX; Twyla Millican and husband, Anthony of Grand Prairie, TX; son, Rodger Crider & wife, Cyndie of Mena, AR; daughter, Dee Matejek and husband Tom of Mena, AR and her daughters, Julia Conley and husband Bob of Clifton, TX; and Susan Rice and husband, Roger of Ft. Worth, TX. Also, her grandchildren:  Chris Owens, Pete Lopez, Marcus Lopez, Toni Shanks, Joe O’Hearn, Collen O’Hearn, Phillip McMellon, Daniel McMellon, Alex Crider, Tyler Crider, Breanna Crider, Adam Matejek, Ryan Matejek, Megann Rowe, Leah Anderson, Paul Putman, Eric Owens, Cathy Rice, and Peggy Hoyler and many great-grandchildren. Her brothers, Geary Don Moore of San Leon, TX; Ronny Moore of Hico, TX; and Randy Moore of NW Arkansas.

The children would especially like to thank Josephine Baldwin, who cared for our mother the last two years she was at home – Josie, you are like family to us; and all the staff at the Green House Cottages of Homewood, Cottage #6 & Dr. Henderson.

 A memorial service will be held at Beasley Wood Funeral Home, August 6^th, 2022, at 10:00 a.m.

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