Deandra and Jebadiah Crain

The Life of Deandra L. Crain
4/12/79-4/24/02

Deandra L. Crain, age 23, of Glenwood, died Wednesday, April 24, 2002.

This is a story…a story about a beautiful human being whom we knew as Deandra “D” Louise Crain. She was born on April 12, 1979, in Craig, Colorado. She was born in the company of stunning snowflakes falling in the sky. She weighed seven pounds and eight ounces, and was twenty inches long. She came into this world with a lot of beautiful dark hair, lengthy fingernails, the darkest eyes, and beautiful long eyelashes. She looked like both of her parents, while her dad always thought she looked like his mother. People also said she was built like her dad.

Her proud parents, Mike and Shelley Crain were blessed with a beautiful daughter and only God knew the blessings that this child would soon bestow upon them. Throughout her childhood, she maintained the beautiful, long, dark hair, every so often to her waist. She had a dark complexion throughout her life that many people would give anything to have. At eleven months, she was walking, and then no one could keep up with her. As a teenager, she was attractive and cute; her hair was shoulder length, sometimes a little longer. She wore contacts, and had braces for a short time, which she insisted to be removed early against doctor’s orders for homecoming. As a young adult, she only grew in beauty, even though she occasionally didn’t think so. Each person who knew her thought she was beautiful.

She was the sister of Jeb Crain whom she relentlessly loved to baby all throughout their childhood. She played the part of “Jeb’s Little Mama.” She used to beat up on her little brother until he was bigger than her. As children they acted as if they disliked each other, but if someone turned on one of them, they were there to protect one another. There were times when they would form their own wrestling matches with their father and good ol’ mom would have to move the furniture to allow them room to tussle. As the two grew older and moved to Arkansas, they grew very close and were inseparable. The two were best friends. Deandra and Jeb were very much alike and according to their mother, they were hardheaded and stubborn, but what kid isn’t? Deandra was about fifteen when she met her half sister Shannon Beavers. On May 14, 1999, Jeb’s life was taken in an automobile accident. Deandra had lost her best friend in the entire world. She left behind the memories of Jeb in Glenwood and returned to Nevada for a while, but afterward returned to Glenwood to find comfort and support with her family and friends.

As a student, Deandra was a great one. She loved school. She attended Kindergarten at Indian Springs Elementary School in Indian Springs, Nevada. Two of her favorite things to do in Kindergarten were drawing and reading. She also attended Elementary School in Indian Springs, NV. She became a Pee Wee Cheerleader and was awarded the “Most Outstanding All Around Elementary Student” which was an immense accomplishment. This award was given to one 6th grader and one 12th grader every year. She attended Indian Springs High School through 11th grade where she was an outstanding Thunderbird Cheerleader. During the spring of 1996, she moved to Glenwood, Arkansas. She graduated with the final class of the Glenwood High School Tigers, before the school consolidated with Amity to emerge as the Centerpoint Knights. Her transition from Nevada to Arkansas was hard for her. She had a difficult time adjusting to the new surroundings, but eventually learned to love it in Glenwood. She learned soon after that her greatest and true friendships were in Arkansas, although friends she loved dearly remained behind in Nevada. Her favorite teacher in High School was Mrs. Carol West who helped her discover her passion for English and Literature, and Ellen Sargent, who taught her to love photography. Deandra obtained good grades all the way through high school and graduated with honors. Her graduation ceremony took place in the “New Gym” at Glenwood High School where she received a number of scholarships. The weather was very warm on this celebrated occasion, but nothing could dampen the spirits of the cheerful but slightly gloomy Deandra, realizing she missed her class from Indian Springs where she had attended her whole life. Her best friend from Nevada attended her graduation, which made the evening more special to her. Deandra did return to Indian Springs to attend her former class’s commencement. Her family had a graduation party for her at home where family and friends gathered to commemorate her accomplishments. Before she graduated, she intended on attending UCA where she did for one year, rooming with Tara Padgett Hargrove. She later moved back home and attended GCCC and Henderson State University where she was a member of the HSU Poms. Deandra also received an opportunity to go to England to study literature in college, however never went.

Deandra was quite the collector. She fell in love with Mickey Mouse years ago and began collecting Mickey memorabilia throughout the rest of her life. She had collected every Disney movie know to man. Coca Cola products and collectibles were also amid her favorite things to collect. Anywhere one sees a Mickey or a Coca Cola product, the idea of Deandra passes by.

Deandra was a Christian. She believed in God from the time she was a little child. She was baptized into the church when she was ten years old. She attended church all her life and remained strong in her faith in spite of some hardships that faced her later in life. Her parents took her to church from the time she was a baby, progressing into a life long vow to God. Deandra was a Baptist. She attended Indian Springs Baptist Church in Nevada, and after her move, First Baptist Church in Glenwood, Arkansas.

Makinleigh Rhea was born at Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada on March 12, 2001. She weighed 6lbs. 5 oz. She was 19 inches long. She without delay became Deandra’s life. She is the spitting image of her mother. Makinleigh was one year old when her mother passed away. Makinleigh reminds the world of her mother in her actions, attributes, tone of voice and laughter every day. Deandra left a legacy behind in her daughter who will evermore be a continuous reminder of the girl we once knew.

Deandra was a notable cheerleader. She loved to dance, cheer, and choreograph. She was so proud of the dances she prepared for her squadrons. Makinleigh’s birth was the most important event in her life. She was so swollen with pride at the thought and picture of her daughter who became her being the instant she was born. Deandra was an exceptional mother. Everyone has a life’s ultimate lesson while Deandra’s greatest lesson in life was the discovery of her love for her brother. His life and his death made her value and realize the degree of her love for him and after his death; she turned to God and became a more loyal and devoted Christian. She began to grasp the true meaning of life and began to live it the best way she could. Deandra turned to her mother for companionship after the death of her brother. The mother and daughter pair became best friends instantaneously. They were there to console one another when one needed to be comforted. Although, Deandra couldn’t stand to see her mother cry, she loved her more than anything.

Deandra left behind many friends who meant the world to her and loved her very much in return. From Kindergarten to the time she became a young adult., she revealed friendships that would last a lifetime, and some that wouldn’t. In Nevada, Deandra’s friends throughout childhood and adolescence were Amy Smith, Crystal Therur, and B.J. Davis. Her best friend in Nevada was Jessica Klopp. Jessica attended Deandra’s high school graduation in Glenwood. Parting with Jessica was one of the most difficult things Deandra ever had to do. In Arkansas, friends like Tenille West, Missy Jester, and Courtney Jones took her in and remained her friends during the time she found it so tough to adjust to Arkansas. A childhood friend anxiously anticipated her move to Glenwood. From the time Deandra was old enough to acknowledge what a friend was, Sarah Mitchell and Deandra were like sisters. Despite the fact that her move to Glenwood developed some distance, they were always there for each other right through life’s most important events. Another particular friendship was shaped upon her move to Arkansas. This was her friendship to Tara Padgett. Tara became her confidant, her companion, and her best friend. Tara was there for her no matter what. She was there to transport Deandra home when her brother died and so much more. Shyla Rogers also held a special place in Deandra’s heart. Shyla felt the pain of her loss when she lost Jeb and developed a friendship there that could never be replaced. Though a cousin, Gera Duggan was very precious to her also. Another individual, who became a cherished friend, was Amanda Yelverton. They became friends in college and soon after worked together which transpired into an irreplaceable friendship. Above all, a friend who probably meant more to her than any other, was the friend who was a lifelong companion to both she and Jeb. This person was Brandee Rice. She was there for her through life’s greatest events and struggles. Though Deandra was gone, Brandee reserved a spot for Deandra in her wedding three months following her death with a single lit candle on behalf of the bridesmaid and best friend who was supposed to be present during this special day in her life.

Deandra had a wonderful life full of family and friends who cherished her to the highest degree. Deandra had a desire where she longed to be thin. The consequence of this aspiration led to her death. When an alleged friend approached her and told her she looked fat, Deandra took action to become thin, which later caused her colon to refrain from functioning. Deandra suffered in agony for years, attended many doctor visits, and finally resorted to surgery, which would remove her colon. The doctors told her there was always a possibility she might die, but the option was hers, to live in pain for the rest of her life, or to confront the procedure and remove the hurt and ache she was suffering. Deandra was miserable during this time in her life. After coming to the conclusion that she considered necessary the surgery, her mother tried to talk her out of it due to a dream she had the night before. The dream was a mothers worst nightmare, though they both knew to end her pain, an operation was in all probability the best thing to do. Deandra made it through surgery and recovery when something went dreadfully wrong five hours later in her hospital room that night around 9:00 p.m. Deandra was in more pain than she could bear. An hour and a half later, on April 24, 2002, Deandra passed away with her mother next to her side alongside with flabbergasted doctors and nurses of St. Joseph’s Regional Health Center in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

The memorial service for Deandra L. Crain was held at First Baptist Church in Glenwood, Arkansas. Bro. Erby Burgess officiated the ceremony that celebrated and commemorated her living. The auditorium was overflowing with people who loved her dearly. Her two best friends Amanda and Tara read a poem in tears for their friend while many cried along with them. “Deandra’s Psalm” written and composed by her lifelong friend Sarah was played on the piano. Incapable to sing, Sarah wrote the words on a piece of paper and allowed Bro. Burgess to read them before she performed it on the piano. Donna West then sang a beautiful song entitled “Serenaded by Angels” with the words soothing all that heard them. Tony Smith sang a song with words of comfort and encouragement entitled “With Hope.” Following the service, Deandra was laid to rest in Mt. Tabor Cemetery just outside Glenwood, at the side of her brother, Jeb. To this day, not a single memory passes by of her every day in the hearts of all that cherished her.

Deandra Crain is the daughter of Mike and Shelley Crain of Glenwood, Arkansas, the mother of Makinleigh Rhea Crain Davis of Glenwood, Arkansas, the granddaughter of Henry and Carmel Miles of Glenwood and Louise Crain of Hot Springs, Arkansas. Her brother, Joseph Jebadiah “Jeb” Crain, her grandfather Odean Duggan, and her grandfather Joseph Crain preceded her in death. She is the niece of Kelley and Stephanie Duggan, Dan and Deanice Dollar, and Ron and Rosie O’Hotto.


Joseph Jebadiah "Jeb" Crain

Joseph Jebadiah "Jeb" Crain, age 18, of Glenwood, died Friday, May 14, 1999.

He was born on October 9, 1980, at Grand Junction, Colorado, the son of Mike Crain and Shelley Duggan Crain.

He was a 1999 graduate of Centerpoint High School and a member of the First Baptist Church of Glenwood. He attended school for ten years at Indians Springs, Nevada. He loved sports, watching sports, being with friends, especially his special friends, Shyla and Judy Rogers.

He was a member of the FCA, FBLA, FFA and was a senior class officer. He was a winner of the Prsidential Academic Fitness Award of 1996. He was a member of the Centerpoint Knights football team and the undefeated football team of the Indian Springs Thunderbirds.

He is survived by his parents, Mike and Shelley Crain of Glenwood; his half-sister, Shannon Beaver of Camden; his paternal grandmother, Louise Crain of Hot Springs; his maternal grandparents, Carmel and Henry Miles of Glenwood; his uncle, Kelly Duggan of Glenwood; three uncles; and three aunts.

He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Joseph Crain and Odean Duggan.

Services will be held at 3:00 PM, Monday May 17, 1999, in the First Baptist Church of Glenwood with Rev. Erby Burgess officiating.

Interment will be in the Mount Tabor Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Matt McAnnally, Pete Cook, Benji Shields, Jason Wolf, Mitch Brown, Randy Caldwell, Anthony Williamson, Jake Hargrove, and Josh Bates.

Honorary pallbearers will be the 1999 senior class of Centerpoint High School and members and coaches of the Centerpoint High School football team.