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Jane “Marnell” Crain VanCleave, age 96 of Monticello, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Friday, February 19, 2021, at Belleview Nursing and Rehab in Monticello surrounded by her family. Marnell was born April 15, 1924 at Pickens, AR to the late William H. Crain and Emma Brown Crain.
Marnell was a very active member of First Baptist Church of Monticello which she joined in May of 1939, at the age of 15; and in later years served as Secretary/Treasurer of her Sunday School class, the Willing Workers. She was a 1942 graduate of Monticello High School before graduating from Brian’s School of Business in 1943. She taught business school in Greenville, MS in 1944, worked as secretary to lawyer Paul Sullins for Crossett Lumber Company in 1945, and worked as Deputy Treasurer at the Drew County Courthouse in 1973-1974. Marnell was also a very gifted in-home seamstress for many years.
Marnell married Donald H. VanCleave on December 31, 1945, whom preceded her in death on January 29, 1999. She was very proud of her daughter, grandchildren and great grandchildren whom she loved very much. In addition to her husband and parents, she was also preceded in death by her brother, Robert Crain and his wife, Elizabeth; and her two sisters, Thelma Crain and Marie Crain Cruce and her husband Carroll.
Survivors include her daughter, Donna VanCleave Hill and son-in-law Jimmy of Monticello; her granddaughter, Paige Hill Stell and husband John of Monticello; her grandson, Stephen P. Hill and wife Carrie of Monticello; eight great grandchildren, Hadlee Hill, Holden Hill, Jayson Reed, Brad Stell, Jake Stell, Jared Stell, Colt Stell and Brayden Stell; two nephews, Bob Crain (Judy) and Jim Crain (Sylvia) of New Mexico; two nieces, Carol Cruce Sanders of Ft. Worth, TX and Patty Cruce Carter of Roanoke, VA; extended family member, Wanda Odom of Monticello; along with many great and great-great nieces and nephews.
Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 24, 2021, at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Chapel with Rev. Dennis Dodson officiating. A come-and-go visitation following Covid-19 guidelines will be held from 12:00-2:00 p.m. Wednesday preceding the funeal service at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Chapel. Burial will be in Campground Cemetery. Online guestbook at www.stephensondearman.com.
Marnell was a very active member of First Baptist Church of Monticello which she joined in May of 1939, at the age of 15; and in later years served as Secretary/Treasurer of her Sunday School class, the Willing Workers. She was a 1942 graduate of Monticello High School before graduating from Brian’s School of Business in 1943. She taught business school in Greenville, MS in 1944, worked as secretary to lawyer Paul Sullins for Crossett Lumber Company in 1945, and worked as Deputy Treasurer at the Drew County Courthouse in 1973-1974. Marnell was also a very gifted in-home seamstress for many years.
Marnell married Donald H. VanCleave on December 31, 1945, whom preceded her in death on January 29, 1999. She was very proud of her daughter, grandchildren and great grandchildren whom she loved very much. In addition to her husband and parents, she was also preceded in death by her brother, Robert Crain and his wife, Elizabeth; and her two sisters, Thelma Crain and Marie Crain Cruce and her husband Carroll.
Survivors include her daughter, Donna VanCleave Hill and son-in-law Jimmy of Monticello; her granddaughter, Paige Hill Stell and husband John of Monticello; her grandson, Stephen P. Hill and wife Carrie of Monticello; eight great grandchildren, Hadlee Hill, Holden Hill, Jayson Reed, Brad Stell, Jake Stell, Jared Stell, Colt Stell and Brayden Stell; two nephews, Bob Crain (Judy) and Jim Crain (Sylvia) of New Mexico; two nieces, Carol Cruce Sanders of Ft. Worth, TX and Patty Cruce Carter of Roanoke, VA; extended family member, Wanda Odom of Monticello; along with many great and great-great nieces and nephews.
Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 24, 2021, at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Chapel with Rev. Dennis Dodson officiating. A come-and-go visitation following Covid-19 guidelines will be held from 12:00-2:00 p.m. Wednesday preceding the funeal service at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Chapel. Burial will be in Campground Cemetery. Online guestbook at www.stephensondearman.com.