Toft Funeral Home and Crematory
2001 Columbus Ave
Sandusky, OH 44870
Phone: 419-625-8816
Website: http://www.toftfh.com
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Jessie Rean (Crayton) Carter, age 84, the Lord called her home on Thursday, September 7, 2023 at the Parkvue Medical Center, Sandusky, Ohio where she was loved by the residents and staff. We thank you for your service to our Mother.
She was born on November 14, 1938 in Coldwater, Mississippi to Walter Crayton and Earnestine (Wilson) Crayton Jones.
She was raised by her mother and step-father, Nathan Jones. At a young age, she moved to Sandusky, Ohio with her family. She became a member of the East Parish Street Church of Christ. She was a 1956 graduate of Sandusky High School. Mom worked for Scott Paper, Van Dresser and Delco Products, retiring from Delco Products on January 1, 2013. She was very active in teaching others about the gospel and winning souls to Christ, working in the kitchen, and teaching the young people how to sing her favorite songs like "He's Able" and others. Mom was very active with the Drum & Bugle Corp directed by Mr. and Mrs. Thompson and developed many friendships. Mom made sure we all participated in D&BC even her grandson, Dormayne. Our home always smelled of Avon products and she gave them away as gifts. Her passion for cooking kept her in the kitchen. She became known as Mama Jessie. Her all-time favorite desserts were the Sweet Potato, Lemon Meringue, & Mock Apple Pies, as well as, her Carmel and Cherry Cheese Cake, Lemon and Chocolate Breakfast Bars, and Salsa-be-que Sauce. Mom loved being with her family (we always had a Saturday or Sunday trip to places like the Blue Hole), her church members (attending lectureships and lady day programs) and friends. They would pick and fry corn, take weekend trips, and attend her grandchildren's baseball and basketball games (you could hear her cheering them on). Mom would often invite singing groups (especially the Voices of Charity in Columbus, OH) and ministers to her home just so they could get her desserts and she could hear more preaching, ask questions and more singing. I guess they were preaching and singing for their desserts. We often found ourselves delivering desserts and Salsa-b-que to people who just had to have it. Occasionally, she worked for Toft Funeral Home, was a donor to the Veterans Administration, and a member of AARP. Our mother was truly a blessing to us and many others. Mom loved watching and feeding the birds. She was stern, yet loving and funny. Some of her words of wisdom still ring in our ears and keeps us focused. While she was in the nursing home, she enjoyed friends and relative visits, especially Uncle P and family, RC Miller and his daughter Sparkle, and Dwayne Lash. Her motto was "I'm trusting in the Lord" Psalms 3:1-7.
She leaves to cherish her memory: Children: Michael L. Carter, Sheila (Vet) Carter, and Jessie (Neba) Carter Hughes. Grandchildren loving known to them as "Ganny": Dormayne Carter, Michael Lemons, Ronald (Lisa) Lewis, Alante' Hughes, and Sierra Hughes, Randy Scroggins, Amberly Carter, and Shatara Lemons. Great grandchildren: Arion Carter, Tamarra Carter, K'Mia Carter, Te'Mar Lewis, Mael Lewis, Christian King, Tiana Hughes, Zoie Butler, and Jae Elle McKinnie. Great Great grandchild: Jermarie Polk. As well as, many others kids in the neighborhood who called her Ganny or Auntie. Her sisters: Mrs. Elma Lash (James-deceased), Mrs. Bernestine (Danny) Pettigrew. Sister-In-Law: Christian Crayton (Mervin-deceased). Brothers: Alvin Jones, Calvin Jones and James (Curt) Jones. And many other nieces, nephews and cousins. Her daily conversations were with her cousin Dune, Stella Durr (deceased), Uncle P(deceased), Hattie Mae Wilson, Hershel (deceased) & Lillian Wilson, Ethel Short, Betty Churchwell, Eppie Harvey, Sister-In-Laws: Mae (Eunice-deceased) Carter and family, Nathan & Lou Carter(both deceased) and family, Eloise (James) Sturghill and family, Tommie & Nell Carter (both deceased) and family. Traveling & talking friends: Terry & Larry (Chicago), Ruby Hearne(deceased) & family, Bob(deceased) & Ellen Ross and family, Ossie Rogers and family, Ella Mae Baker and family, Nora Lee Monique and family, Emma Smoot and family, Caroline Henderson and many other in-laws and friends. As you can see, mom embraced the whole family.
She was preceded in death by her ex-husband, Cleo Carter, her close friend, Tommie Ross, Jr., her parents, Walter Crayton and Earnestine Jones, step father Nathan Jones (dad Nathan), paternal and maternal grandparents, brothers: Mervin Crayton and Dennis Jones. Sister: Theresa Jones Taylor. Uncles: Jones P, Hershel, Elmo, Roy and Eugene Wilson, Aunt: Anna Wooten (EJ Wooten-deceased). Grandchildren: Naketa L. Lemons and Mya Shinita Carter in infancy. Niece: Celeste Lash Hawthorn and great niece, Tiffany Hawthorn.
Friends may call on Saturday, September 23, 2023, from 10 A.M. until time of funeral services at 11 A.M. in East Parish Street Church of Christ, 1219 E. Parish St., Sandusky. Burial will follow in Meadow Green Memorial Park, Huron. Toft Funeral Home & Crematory, 2001 Columbus Ave., Sandusky is handling the arrangements. Condolences may be made by visiting toftfuneralhome.com.
