Jean Strauser

JONESBORO - Jean Evelyn Strauser, 85, of Jonesboro passed from this life Monday, Dec. 9, 2024, at Providence Assisted Living in Searcy. She was born June 13, 1939, in Jonesboro to the late Bryan and Flora McCrady.

Jean grew up in Rector where at the age of 16, she graduated as salutatorian of Rector High School in 1956. She then attended Arkansas State College and earned a Bachelor of Science in math and biology in three years. She took many hours because her parents wouldn't let her marry Shirl until she had a college degree.

Jean and Shirl married on Feb. 1, 1959, and had a 62-year marriage of love and commitment. She then completed her master's degree in mathematics in 1961 and went on to be a math teacher for 32 years, most of that time at Jonesboro High School where she was a highly respected teacher and sponsor for many clubs on campus.

After retirement, she founded, with Skip Mooney Jr., Out of the Dark (OOD), an organization to prevent and fight drug addiction. Jean volunteered for 10 years with OOD and worked with hundreds of youth during that time. Jean was also a member of First United Methodist Church in Jonesboro for over 50 years.

In addition to her parents, Jean was preceded in death by her husband, Shirl Strauser, son, Alan Strauser, and sister, Vernelia McCrady Hanebrink.

Survivors include her daughter, Deana (Paul) Johnston; her beloved grandsons, Jordan (Elliott) Johnston, Nathan (Abby) Johnston and Brady Johnston; and three great-grandsons, Grey, Miles and Beckett; as well as special nieces, Lisa (Craig) Kessler and daughter Kaylee, and Kay (Dennis) Noell and their daughters Holly (Marno) Koen and Katie (Matt) Verser.

The family would like to thank the staff at Providence Assisted Living in Searcy where Jean spent her final two years near her dearest daughter. They took great and loving care of her and the family will be forever grateful.

A visitation will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesday at Emerson Funeral Home in Jonesboro. Funeral services will immediately follow the visitation at 2 p.m. with the Rev. John Miles officiating. Burial will follow in Woodland Cemetery at Rector.