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Oledia Janet Barnard Crook, age 87 of Monticello, passed away Sunday, June 1, 2025, at her home. She was born March 4, 1938, in Helena, AR to the late Manuel Barnard and Evelyn Flock Barnard.
She was the beloved wife of 56 years to Henry Curtis Crook. The couple married young and lived their life as God intended in marriage. They loved telling stories of past vacations, pipelining stories as well as any other memories made during their marriage. This was always a treat that was enjoyed by all. We can only imagine the reunion they had once Nanny and Papaw Henry were reunited once again now in their Heavenly Home. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers and sisters-in-law, Manuel Leon Barnard and wife Marie, James Curtis Barnard and wife Marsha; nephew, James Barnard; niece, Sherry Barnard; and brothers and sisters-in-law, Buddy and Edith Hayes, Charlene Crook and Jerry Crook.
Oledia, or as most knew her as “Nanny” was the perfect example of a good and faithful servant. She displayed the perfect example of a Proverbs 31 woman; loving and hard working are just a few ways to describe her. First offering a helping hand, a delicious home cooked meal or simply a word of encouragement. Anyone who knew Oledia had no question about what brought joy to her. She adored her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, planting flowers and working in her “special” garden that she took great pride in each year. Countless hours were spent perfecting her backyard where memories were made that will be cherished forever and certainly never forgotten.
Throughout her entire life she served others. Oledia had an incredible career of 35 years with Sesame School and the Drew County Developmental Disabilities Center. Her clients were not just her clients but her extended family. They loved “Mrs. Oledia” and continued to stay in contact with her calling almost daily. Oledia loved receiving calls from her clients and past co-workers. She was a devoted Christian and member of Second Baptist Church in Monticello and spent many years teaching Sunday School and truly lived her life each day as a shining light for God.
Oledia never had to wonder how special she was to her family. She has always been described as the glue that holds the family together. Though she loved her immediate family, she also had a very large extended family including friends of her children, grand and great grandchildren that also referred to her as “Nanny Crook”. She made memories and loved each and every person in her life dearly. These memories will be cherished forever.
Survivors include her children, David Crook and wife Cindy of Hot Springs and Patricia Deaton and husband Eddie of Monticello; siblings, Charles Barnard and wife Mary of Monticello, Jerry Barnard and wife Becky of Dermott, Carolyn Sue Flory and husband John of Vilonia, Linda Kay Robinson and husband Joe of Batesville, Larry Joe Barnard and wife Donna of Vicksburg, MS, and Sandra Legg and husband John of Bastrop, LA; sister-in-law, Laverne Crook of Monticello; grandchildren, Laci Harris of Monticello, Kari Harris and husband C.J. of Monticello, Lindsey Watson and husband Ryan of Dermott, Nick Deaton and wife Shanene of Columbus, GA and Chance Meeks and wife Kabrelle of Hot Springs; great grandchildren, Crayton, Parker and Rhett Dylan Harris of Monticello, Camden and Kash Harris of Monticello, Tanner, Talin and Tynlee Watson of Dermott, Aubrey, Eli and Jackson Deaton, Keira and Amelia Beason of Columbus, GA, and Oriyah and Josiah Meeks of Hot Springs; along with a host of nieces, nephews, family members, church family, and friends she loved dearly.
No matter what happens in life, never forget the sun will come up tomorrow.
- Nanny Crook
Note from the family:
Thank you for being the best Nanny anyone could ever ask for…1,2, 3 We love you Nanny…
The family would also like to issue a special "thank you" to Hospice Home Care for the excellent care you gave our Nanny!
Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Chapel. There will be a visitation Monday evening from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Campground Cemetery. You can sign Mrs. Oledia’s guestbook registry on this page.
She was the beloved wife of 56 years to Henry Curtis Crook. The couple married young and lived their life as God intended in marriage. They loved telling stories of past vacations, pipelining stories as well as any other memories made during their marriage. This was always a treat that was enjoyed by all. We can only imagine the reunion they had once Nanny and Papaw Henry were reunited once again now in their Heavenly Home. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers and sisters-in-law, Manuel Leon Barnard and wife Marie, James Curtis Barnard and wife Marsha; nephew, James Barnard; niece, Sherry Barnard; and brothers and sisters-in-law, Buddy and Edith Hayes, Charlene Crook and Jerry Crook.
Oledia, or as most knew her as “Nanny” was the perfect example of a good and faithful servant. She displayed the perfect example of a Proverbs 31 woman; loving and hard working are just a few ways to describe her. First offering a helping hand, a delicious home cooked meal or simply a word of encouragement. Anyone who knew Oledia had no question about what brought joy to her. She adored her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, planting flowers and working in her “special” garden that she took great pride in each year. Countless hours were spent perfecting her backyard where memories were made that will be cherished forever and certainly never forgotten.
Throughout her entire life she served others. Oledia had an incredible career of 35 years with Sesame School and the Drew County Developmental Disabilities Center. Her clients were not just her clients but her extended family. They loved “Mrs. Oledia” and continued to stay in contact with her calling almost daily. Oledia loved receiving calls from her clients and past co-workers. She was a devoted Christian and member of Second Baptist Church in Monticello and spent many years teaching Sunday School and truly lived her life each day as a shining light for God.
Oledia never had to wonder how special she was to her family. She has always been described as the glue that holds the family together. Though she loved her immediate family, she also had a very large extended family including friends of her children, grand and great grandchildren that also referred to her as “Nanny Crook”. She made memories and loved each and every person in her life dearly. These memories will be cherished forever.
Survivors include her children, David Crook and wife Cindy of Hot Springs and Patricia Deaton and husband Eddie of Monticello; siblings, Charles Barnard and wife Mary of Monticello, Jerry Barnard and wife Becky of Dermott, Carolyn Sue Flory and husband John of Vilonia, Linda Kay Robinson and husband Joe of Batesville, Larry Joe Barnard and wife Donna of Vicksburg, MS, and Sandra Legg and husband John of Bastrop, LA; sister-in-law, Laverne Crook of Monticello; grandchildren, Laci Harris of Monticello, Kari Harris and husband C.J. of Monticello, Lindsey Watson and husband Ryan of Dermott, Nick Deaton and wife Shanene of Columbus, GA and Chance Meeks and wife Kabrelle of Hot Springs; great grandchildren, Crayton, Parker and Rhett Dylan Harris of Monticello, Camden and Kash Harris of Monticello, Tanner, Talin and Tynlee Watson of Dermott, Aubrey, Eli and Jackson Deaton, Keira and Amelia Beason of Columbus, GA, and Oriyah and Josiah Meeks of Hot Springs; along with a host of nieces, nephews, family members, church family, and friends she loved dearly.
No matter what happens in life, never forget the sun will come up tomorrow.
- Nanny Crook
Note from the family:
Thank you for being the best Nanny anyone could ever ask for…1,2, 3 We love you Nanny…
The family would also like to issue a special "thank you" to Hospice Home Care for the excellent care you gave our Nanny!
Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Chapel. There will be a visitation Monday evening from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Campground Cemetery. You can sign Mrs. Oledia’s guestbook registry on this page.