Avis Crawley Harrelson of Warren, AR went Home to be with Jesus October 10, 2026 at the age of 97. She was born January 24, 1929 near Wilmot, AR to Alex Crawley and Velma Turner Crawley. She grew up on a cotton farm the fourth child of a big happy family. She married Jesse Hudie Harrelson on November 23, 1949.
Avis graduated Wilmot High School in 1947 and was the first of her family to off to college at A&M and graduated with a business teaching degree. She began her career at Woodlawn in 1949. She taught at Warren High many years and retired after 36 years. Avis has been a lifelong follower of Jesus, teaching Sunday school most of her adult life bringing many, many people to Christ. She was a true woman of God. Avis was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years Jesse Hudie Harrelson, her first born child Neva Beth McBee, six sisters -Clyda Faye Crawley, Ella Perrene Vail, Earlene Jackson, Jenny Washam, Carolyn Sue Breazeal, and Elizabeth Sharp. Nephews Bill and Don Vail and niece Janice Walther. Avis is survived by her other daughter Kathy Kelly (Phillip) and her son Steve Harrelson both of Warren, AR. Her only grandchild Crystal Harrelson Sullivan and two great-grandchildren Benjamin and HallieJo Raney of Warren. Two brothers Robert Crawley of Little Rock and A. B. Crawley of Tulsa, OK and 12 nephews and nieces who all love her very much. And many, many great nieces and nephews.
She had a big, close family and even though we lived in different places she hosted a reunion every Thanksgiving Day since the 1960’s We all looked forward to those happy days of Thanksgiving at her house. Avis, or Mrs. Harrelson, as so many knew her, was loved by all her students over her 36 years of teaching. They always recognized her everywhere she saw them throughout all her life.
Funeral services will be 2:00PM Tuesday, October 13th 2026 at Frazer’s Chapel with Rev. Ricky Rauls officiating. Burial in Union Cemetery at Rye, AR. Visitation 12:30 PM till service time at Frazer’s Chapel. Burial in Union Cemetery at Rye.
Pallbearers: Benjamin Raney, Bill Walther, Larry Walther, Michael Crawley, Scott Crawley and Toby Reep.
Honorary pallbearers: Phillip Kelly, Dr. Max Breazeal, Glen Jackson, Jon Crawley, Sterling McBee
