Cecil Chester Crossley

There was a man ... named Cecil Crossley.Born August 29, 1953 to Chester Cecil and Veneta Lee (nee Cantrell) Crossley, in Waco, TX, he was liked, respected, and mostly loved by all who knew him.Cecil was humble, kind, peaceable, honest, brilliant, considerate, graceful, sweet-tempered, and strong in mind, soul, body, and spirit. He noticed others' needs, wants, and dreams. Children, men, women, the infirm, the elderly, or strangers - all were treated well and could talk to him easily on any subject. He was also well-known for his quick wit and humorous replies!Whatever the situation, he was competent for the task. His many talents included public speaking, writing, singing, and technology and machine skills. He could learn anything, including gardening, and basic cooking and cleaning skills - after he retired. Cecil loved research, and knew a lot about almost any subject, though when asked he would usually say he'd forgotten most of what he knew - then begin a college-level response, which was clear enough for most children to understand.At a very early age, he began learning to give brief presentations, and leading the singing at his home congregation of the Church of Christ in Elm Mott, TX. Later he decided he wanted to be a missionary, perhaps to Africa, and he went to Lubbock Christian College and studied Agriculture-Business plus a lot of Bible. Attaining almost all A's, he had a full scholarship all 4 years. He married his wife there in 1973. Next they went to Sunset School of Missions, then began raising support to join a group working with the Northside Church of Christ in Paris, France, working in every capacity he could for 5 years. He then went to work with a small congregation in Stavanger, Norway, for 3 years.In March 1987 he brought his wife back to her home state, and began working with the Central Church of Christ in Chesapeake, Ohio.He always worked to support his family, usually in book-related businesses such as Books Are Fun. He continued with both, preaching until he had to retire due to covid restrictions. Cecil passed away at home in South Point, Ohio on May 19, 2023, 9 days after his 50th Anniversary.Cecil is survived by his wife, Sherry (nee Freeman), 2 sons, Casey and Cody (Ella), and 2 beloved grandsons, Jace and Levi, 1 brother, James (Sally), plus a very close group of relatives, church family, and many dear friends.There will be a visitation for Mr. Crossley on Thursday, May 25, 2023 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Schneider-Hall Funeral Home, Chesapeake, Ohio. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, May 26, 2023 at Schneider-Hall Funeral Home, Chesapeake, Ohio, with a burial following at Rome Cemetery in Proctorville, Ohio. Schneider-Hall Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family at schneiderhallfuneralhome.com. The funeral service will be live streamed. To watch the service, click on "Watch Event" under the Funeral Service tab below at 2 p.m. on Friday.

Cecil Chester Crossley

August 29, 1953 - May 19, 2023