Marilla Jean Crosswait Obituary (2023)

Marilla Jean (Carson) Crosswait of Madisonville, KY died October 29, 2023 at her home. Mrs. Crosswait was born October 16, 1929 in Taylorville, Illinois, the only child of Amos William and Mila Rigdon Carson. Her formative years were spent in Decatur and Olney, IL. She married Albert Burton Crosswait, Jr. on March 20, 1954 in the St. Elmo First United Methodist Church Chapel. He preceded her in death October 17, 2001. Marilla graduated from Olney Township High School in 1947 and received her Bachelor of Science in Education degree in 1951 from Eastern Illinois State College. She was a member, and president her senior year, of Delta Zeta sorority, a member of Sigma Tau Delta, national honorary English fraternity, and Delta Kappa Gamma, society of women in education. Marilla received a Master of Science in Education degree from Arkansas State University in 1971. She taught 23 years in the public schools of Illinois and Arkansas, retiring in 1989. Besides living in several Illinois towns, Marilla lived in Durant, OK, Upper Montclair, NJ, and Jonesboro, AR, where she made many friends and thoroughly enjoyed living in each city. While living in Jonesboro, she was an active member of Arkansas State University Faculty Wives Club. Marilla was a member of Madisonville First Christian Church and a past member of Martha Cayce Circle. She loved baking, spending time with family and friends, her dogs and cats, reading, attending destroyer reunions with her husband, and visiting her farm in Illinois. Since she was a little girl, she was a loyal St. Louis Cardinals fan, and after moving to Kentucky, also became a Wildcats fan. In addition to her parents and husband, Marilla was preceded in death by her son, Andrew Burton Crosswait, on August 10, 2020. Marilla is survived by her daughter Susan Crosswait (Brad Downall) of Madisonville, grandsons Ryan Crosswait Watson (Jess) of Louisville, KY, Evan Crosswait Downall of St. Louis, MO, and William Downall Crosswait of Bowling Green, KY. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date at Mt. Carmel Church, which is bordered by the family farm near Brownstown, IL. Contributions in her memory can be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Kentucky at 3419 Wathens Crossing, Owensboro, KY 42301, or First Christian Church, 1030 College Drive, Madisonville, KY 42431, or Mt. Carmel Cemetery Fund, c/o Steve Behrends, 1361 E 2200 Ave, Brownstown, IL 62418