of Harrison, AR

October 16, 1936 - December 16, 2024

Mary Jean Creager, age 88, of Harrison passed away at home with her family by her side. She was born October 16, 1936 in Bergman to Willie C. and Dorothy L. Rose Sharp. She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Russell D. Sharp and one great-granddaughter, Charlie Seymour.

Mary Jean loved people. She liked to collect things, but she loved to collect people. She fostered a home where all were welcome and proudly displayed a sign in her kitchen that said, "Free food at Grandma's". Very few people in Harrison didn't know her in some way.

She graduated from Harrison High School in 1954. During her senior year, after Christmas break, the high school moved into the newly built high school that is now the Creekside Community Center. As a youth, she was a Bear Creek Springs Baptist Church member. She married Ernie Creager at Eagle Heights Baptist Church because it was winter and the pot belly stove was in the middle of the aisle there. Her parents owned Castle Rock at Bear Creek and they stayed in one of the cabins. Ernie played in several bands and the couple traveled around playing gigs and socializing.

The Creagers had three boys, John was born in Harrison, Jim in Colorado and Jason in Springfield. They moved to Colorado in 1958 following her father and then returned to Harrison in 1966. They were an adventurous family and could be found almost every Sunday during the summer on the lake skiing and swimming.

Mary Jean took a position at Levi's and she was known to have the voice of a leader. She worked in payroll and was one of the last employees to leave the plant when Levi's closed, forcing her retirement. She then was hired as the first poll worker for early voting in Boone County. She ran for and successfully gained a position on the Harrison City Council. Until she got sick, she only missed two meetings during her ten years. She advocated for the city workers, ensuring they were cared for during their time serving and had retirement benefits. She was chair of the Police and Fire Committee, Cemetery Board, a member of CATPC, Harrison Square Christmas Lights and countless others. She was an organizer for the Cooking on the Square benefit for the Shop With A Cop program. She was also a member of the Summers Cemetery Board.

Mary Jean is survived by her husband of 70 years, Ernie Creager; her children, John (Cindy) Creager of Western Grove, Jim (Stephanie) Creager of Harrison and Jason (Pam) Creager of Las Vegas, Nevada; her grandchildren, Heather (Mike) Seymour of Council Grove, Kansas, Dustin (Courtney) Creager of Lead Hill, Molly McClurg of Canyon, Texas, Monty McClurg of Hutchinson, Kansas, Clay Creager of Harrison, Brooklyn (Jacob) Binam of Harrison, Marcie DiMeo of Boston, Massachusetts and Jason Creager, II of Las Vegas; 12 great-grandchildren and a host of other family and friends.


The visitation will be 12:00 to 2:00 pm Saturday, December 21, 2024 at Creekside Community Center.

The memorial service is 2:00 PM Saturday, December 21, 2024 at Creekside Community Center.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Christeson Funeral Home
519 North Spring Street
Harrison, AR  72601
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com