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.
To order a DVD copy of this video memorial, please contact our funeral home at + 18707413113.
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24 Condolence(s)
Ronnie Edwards
Saturday, December 21, 2024
You will be deeply missed by everyone that knew you. Blessings to you with Eternal Peace.
Debbie Lichti
Saturday, December 21, 2024
Jim so sorry for your loss.
Irma Leesman
Saturday, December 21, 2024
Ernie, so sorry to hear about Mary Jean. I know what you are going thru. I lost Raymie a couple months ago. My prayers are with you and the boys
Chris Snyder
Friday, December 20, 2024
Mary Jean was an amazing woman. I had the opportunity to get to know her and support the cooking for kids with her. Mary Jean you will be missed and I appreciate the opportunity to have met and got to know you.
Jerry and Lynn Stude
Friday, December 20, 2024
Our deepest condolence to Mary Jean's family. She was a lovely person and a fun happy classmate. Jerry and Lynn Stude
Nedra Daniels
Thursday, December 19, 2024
Prayers for all the Family
Reed hoppis
Thursday, December 19, 2024
John and Cindy so sorry for your loss. May God bless and comfort your family at this time.
Mike McCoy
Wednesday, December 18, 2024
Mary Jean was a classmate and forever a great friend as we graduated from high school together-- I knew her siblings and Mother and Dad, Bill, very well - Her husband, Ernie, was and is one of my favorites in life - Sympathy to all--Correction, however, our graduating class of '54, moved to the South Pine residence in January '51 and we attended classes at that venue for 2 1/2 years.
Mike McCoy
Ryan and Laurie Oswalt
Tuesday, December 17, 2024
I loved that little lady. Please accept our condolences. We will be joining family and friends prayer.
Sue Daughtrey
Tuesday, December 17, 2024
My heart and condolences go out to her family and friends.
Greg & Delene McCoy
Tuesday, December 17, 2024
Love and blessings to the Creager family. Mary Jean has left a void in this world, but I’m positive God has her busy already. Never was with Mary Jean that she wasn’t encouraging and inquiring about your family members and spreading love.
James Breece
Tuesday, December 17, 2024
Mary Jean and I started school in Bergman and were life long friends, she was such a caring person and a pleasure to be with, I will miss her, my condolences to Ernie and family.
Kathleen and Jesse Tudor
Tuesday, December 17, 2024
So sorry for your loss, she was a sweet lady. Our prayers to the family.
Donna Brown
Tuesday, December 17, 2024
They don’t make them any better than Mary Jean. She took me under her wing when I started working as the receptionist at Levi. Her memory will live on for so many of us who were fortunate to have known bet!
Donna Boli
Tuesday, December 17, 2024
Never a stronger lady! Loved working with her at Levi’s. Praying for comfort for the Family.
Jacquie Markle
Tuesday, December 17, 2024
Praying for Ernie and the family. Mary Jean was a sweet and loving lady and she will leave an incredible void. Love to you all.
Jim & Diana Arnold
Monday, December 16, 2024
We are so sorry to hear about Mary Jean’s passing. May God give you peace and comfort during this time of grief. She will be truly missed.
Russell & Janell Busch
Monday, December 16, 2024
Ernie, boys & family,
We are so sorry to hear of the passing of sweet Mary Jean.
Our thoughts, prayers & deepest sympathy is with you and your family!
Love you guys
Jeannette S Bolin
Monday, December 16, 2024
I'm so sorry for ur loss . Mary Jean is a special person .
Russell & Janell Busch
Monday, December 16, 2024
Ernie, boys & family,
We are so sorry to hear of the passing of sweet Mary Jean.
Our thoughts, prayers & deepest sympathy is with you and your family!
Love you guys
Cindy Martin
Monday, December 16, 2024
My deepest condolences for the family. Heaven gained a beautiful soul. Whatever she was involved in she would give 110%. Mary Jean will be greatly missed. Prayers sent to family and friends that were like family.
Alan Archer
Monday, December 16, 2024
My Sweet, Dear Angel.
Time with you here was a treasure, loved and to never be gone from my thoughts. You were an Angel on Earth, and now above. Always your SM
Mom talked about you all my life, now you can give her a hug and kiss for all of us!
Alan - SM :)
Jeannie
Monday, December 16, 2024
My heart is breaking for each of you. Mary Jean was the most selfless, loving, giving lady. Mary Jean will be greatly missed.
May God grant each of you peace and comfort.
Joyce L Turney
Monday, December 16, 2024
My deepest sympathy to Ernie and the boys on the loss of Mary Jean. She will be missed tremendously by you all and all her friends and all the work she did on the City Council. My thoughts and prayers are with each of you.