Jeri Ann Crain, 69, of China Spring, passed away Tuesday, August 13th at her residence. Graveside services will be 10AM Monday, August 19th at Waco Memorial Park, followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 11AM at China Spring United Methodist Church with Rev. Jane Woodward officiating. The Order of the Eastern Star McLennan Chapter #639 will also participate. Visitation will be 3 to 5PM Sunday, August 18th at Lake Shore Funeral Home, 5201 Steinbeck Bend in Waco. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online Guest book at www.LakeShoreFuneralHome.com.
Jeri was born November 6, 1943 in Lubbock to Stanley and Dorothy (Wright) Prestwich. She attended schools in many cities because her father served in the military. At each school she earned a place on the honor roll. Jeri married Hubert Standlee Crain on Valentine’s Day, 1973 in Waco. During her lifetime she served as an Amateur Radio Operator and a Storm Spotter/Chaser, and ECA with the China Spring Volunteer Fire Department. For 26 years Jeri Ann and Stan taught Sunday School at the First United Methodist Church of Waco and later worked in the nursery at China Spring United Methodist Church, where she was a member. She retired as a school teacher after 32 years of service. Her last school was University High School where she was voted Favorite Teacher three times. She loved, adored and dedicated her life to children.
Jeri belonged to many organizations. She was the Holder of the Grand Cross of Colors, Order of the Rainbow for Girls. She served as past Worthy Advisor of North Star Assembly #9, Anchorage, Alaska and also was a member of Job’s Daughters in Anchorage. Jeri was a Past Worthy Matron of McLennan Chapter #639. She was a member of The Elizabeth Gordon Bradley Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, Waco Chapter #2381, Daughters of the Confederacy and the Daughters of the Nile, Merak Temple #104, Waco. Jeri loved horses and was also a member of the North American Trail Ride Conference.
She was preceded in death by her son, Mark William Crain: her father, Stanley Prestwich; and a grandson, Jacob Crain.
Survivors include her husband of 40 years, Stan Crain of China Spring; son, Michael Crain and wife, Kimberly of Allen, Texas; daughter, Melissa Donoso and husband, Tony of China Spring; grandson, Michael Donoso and granddaughter, Makayla Donoso, both of China Spring; granddaughters, Hope, Hanna and Faith Crain of Allen; step-grandsons, Adam and Anthony Donoso III and step-granddaughters, Audrey and Courtney Donoso, all of China Spring; granddaughter Alyssa Hernandez of Copperas Cove; sister, Sheila Scala and husband, Louis of Woodbury; nephews, Douglas Scala and wife, Beth and their children, Maggie and Luke of Athens; John Scala and wife, Shannon of Ft. Worth, and mother, Dorothy Prestwich of Waco.
Pallbearers will be Roy Wright, Joe McKethan, Louis Scala, Douglas Scala, Johnathan Scala and Tony Donoso.
Memorials may be made to the China Spring United Methodist Church or the American Diabetes Association.
Print Obituary & Condolences
Stan, I just saw the notice in the paper. I’m so sorry to lose Jerri. My deepest sympathies are with you and the family. Please contact me if there’s anything I can do for you. My prayers are with you.
Jug
We will miss Jeri’s bubbly personality, smile and little giggle she always had. We know her passing leaves a heartache no one can heal, but LOVE leaves a memory no one can steal. Look for her spirit, as she will be with you always.
Grandma I will always miss you and I won’t forget you . I wish you were still here. Its not the same with out you.
Love Bubba
Sue and I will keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers during this sad time.
Buzz & Sue Kyler
Mrs. Crain was my psychology teacher at University High. She was such a lovely woman with a beautiful and bubbly spirit. Heaven just got a little sweeter.
Grandma, it’s your grand-daughter Coco.! I love you. And I will miss you dearly. It took pure courage to be the grandmother you were. You were my inspiration. You always will be. My new idol is you. I remember when I used to climb in bed and sleep with you while grandpa was working, or when I used to help you cook and help you make things.. Or wrap presents. We have so many great memories and when I think of you, those memories will forever remind me of you. Grandma, you are gorgeous. No wonder grandpa married you.! But, beautiful means pretty inside and out and that’s what you are. Tell god that I said hi.! I’ll see you again someday. I love you so much.
I had Mrs. Crain as a teacher when I went to University High and she was such a wonderful person. To my surprise, years later she began to bring her mom and her pets as well as her own pets to the veterinary hospital where I work. It was wonderful to talk with her–with the health issues that she had she never faultered. She always was upbeat and had a smile on her face. MRs. Prestwich, and Crain Family my thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Sincerely,
Debbie Oplie Bigham
Northside Animal Hospital
I will always remember Aunt Jeri Ann fondly. She was a very caring and giving person. My thoughts and prayers to Uncle Stan and Michael and Melissa and their families. The things I remember most is the getting "bucked" off the horse when I was very young, Ms. Dog, watching "The Wizard of Oz" at the house and the good food. Rest in peace Aunt Jeri Ann.
You were such good neighbors to us those many years ago on Rockview. Your family is held closely in our thoughts and prayers.
Blessings,
Sara and Erv
Grandma, you meant so much to me. You were my favorite grandma. You’ve been so nice to me and you have always been in a happy mood. I’m never going to forget you grandma. I love you.
Thanks for being such a special part of my senior year at University High School!!! Your students knew that you cared for each and every one of them. You always made me feel special and I will never forget that you chose me as top female government student in 1982…it helped to build my confidence and no doubt helped to move me forward on my future career path. You were a great role model and helped so many with your devotion to your job as a teacher. Thanks and I look forward to seeing you again in Heaven!!! Love always, Judy
Dear Stan and Family, Kathy and I are truly sorry for your loss and pray that you will find strength and comfort in your friends and faith during this time of sadness and grief. My mother Lucille talked frequently about your family and spoke fondly of Jeri. May you all find peace in the grace of God.
Lee and Kathy
I am so sorry for your loss. Please know that I will keep your family in my prayers.
Sorry for your loss. Jeri was a beautiful lady inside and out. She will be missed.
I love you Nana. I will miss you. Dancing and watching cartoons without you is not the same now. I loved playing with you.
Love Kayla
Coach Crain, Melissa, and Michael:
My condolences
Hey Jeri,it’s Megan. You have done such a great job at keeping the Donoso and Crain family happy. They will miss you a lot. I hope you have fun cloud hopping.
Love, Megan
There is no sorrow that compares to the deep sadness of loosing Jeri. She is home in God’s safe keeping. Remember you are surrounded by thoughts of caring and support in all the days to come.
You are in our prayers.
Mel and Fae
Mom, you meant the world to me. I have so many precious memories that I will forever cherish. I only wish we could have made so many more. I will always be grateful for everything you taught me and the woman that you made. I love you will never say enough. I will miss you much more than words can say. I will forever hold you in my heart until we meet again.
Love Melissa
XOXOXOXOXO
Grandma, you know how you did all that stuff for us.? Well this is what I’m going to say.. I love you very much. This is a new beginning for you. I miss cuddling and sleeping with you. You were my protector. This is not the end. I will see you again. You’ll always be in my heart. I’m going to look for you in the clouds. Have fun cloud hopping grandma. I’ll miss you..!
This is a great picture of Aunt Jeri Ann! I haven’t seen her in so long, this is really close to how she looks in my memories of her. She was such a sweet aunt. Always kind and smiling and had a great giggle. She will be greatly missed. But I know she is healthy, happy and young again in heaven.
You was the best and fun teacher we had at University High School..We are going to Miss You Mrs Crain. Praying for the Family
Class of 2002
I didnt know Mrs.Crain, but I know her husband Stan, my heart goes out to you Stan,and family. Just remember she is sitting with her King in Heaven,and feeling no pain. Jesus is nearest to those with a broken heart,when you feel alone all you gotta do is call on His name and he will be there. Love you buddy, my church family and I will keep yall in our prayers.
YOU WILL BE MISSED VERY MUCH. YOU WERE THE BEST TEACHER AND SO NICE. MY CONDOL.
Dear Mr. Crain and family,
I was your neighbor and babysitter a long, long time ago. Your wife was a wonderful mother and a dear lady. She was always so kind to me. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your children.
Shari Jenkins Moore
I was a student of Mrs. Crain’s at University High School. As it says she was voted Favorite Teacher three times because she was such a wonderful teacher, person and spirit. She treated every student like a child of her own and showed her love to all of us. I had not seen her since I graduated in 1996, but she still hold a special place in my heart today. She will be greatly missed and I am sure she will be voted Favorite Angel in heaven. My thoughts are prayers are with her family.
My darling, Jeri. Thank you for the wonderful 40 plus years we had together. You made my life amazing. You stood by me through everything. I will miss you and wait until you come for me. You were always there when I needed comfort, help, or companionship, when things were good and bad. I love your special name you had for me and the support you gave me in everything you did. You stood by me in every job I did, especially Fire and EMS. You always had the right words to help me through everything I encountered. Your smile was so special. Every time I came home you had a smile and a special "Hello Guy." I love your creative mind and you helped me make our house so special. As a Sunday School teacher you brought so many smiles to not only the children, but me too with your crafts and stories. In school you created your own special puzzles for your students. You had a special love for everyone! Jeri, I love you so much and I will miss you greatly. Love, Your Guy ….
Til We Meet Again My Love
My deepest sympathies go out to Jeri’s family. Jeri and I taught school together for many years at University Middle and University High Schools. She was very devoted to her family as well as her students and teacher friends. My prayer is that you will keep your faith and let your memories comfort you.
Thank you for all that you have done for us. You were a great mother-in-law and you will be greatly missed. I will miss all the stories about my wife when she was little and the jokes you had. You brought smiles to all of us and for that I thank you. Every holiday and birthday was great because of you. You kept the spirit and the love in the family alive.
Love Tony
Rest in Peace