Earl Dean Crosswhite of Sheridan, Arkansas was born March 9, 1926 at Lead Hill, Arkansas the son of the late Jessie Houston and Bertha Ann Hancock Crosswhite. He was a member of First Landmark Missionary Baptist Church at Sheridan, had worked at Alcoa, was former Director of the Texarkana Baptist Orphanage and of the Vocational School at Arkansas School for the Deaf. Mr. Crosswhite had formerly taught Agri at Sheridan High School, was Principal at Traskwood School, and had taught at Harmony Grove. He had received a Bachelors of Science in Agriculture from Arkansas Tech University, had received a Bachelors of Science in Education from Henderson State Teachers College as well as receiving a Masters in Education from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. He also pursued graduate hours toward an Educational Specialist degree from the University. He was also a part of Arkansas Mission Builders building churches all over.

Mr. Crosswhite died Saturday, April 5, 2008 at Baptist Medical Center in Little Rock at the age of 82.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, Kirby Crosswhite, Bob Crosswhite, a sister Rosa Nell King and a granddaughter, Jessica Crosswhite.

Survivors include his wife, Shirley Ann Statler Crosswhite ; Sons, Donnie and wife Kay Crosswhite, Jimmy and wife Karen Crosswhite, and Johnny Ray Crosswhite all of Sheridan; daughter, Patty and husband James Cogburn of Story, Arkansas; brothers, Wendell Crosswhite of Branson, Missouri, Don Edward Crosswhite of Evans, Georgia and Tommy Crosswhite of Harrison; sisters, Veda Anderson of Harrison, Polly Thurman of Paragould, Jackie Sharp of Trenton, Missouri, Rita Fern Raney of Harrison and Barbara Case of Springfield, Missouri; grandchildren, Jeremy, David, Donnie, and Wade Crosswhite, Jeni Vladyka, Chris Ausbrooks, Cindy Terrell, Mary Booth, Richard Shipman, Shanna Dearman, Jake Eden, Josh Crosswhite and Haley Crosswhite; 14 great grandchildren, 2 great great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, April 9, 2008 at First Landmark Missionary Baptist Church with Bro. Wendell Crosswhite, Bro. Don Edward Crosswhite, Bro. Shawn Hill, Bro. Morris Cloud and Bro. W.A. Dillard all participating. Burial will be in Lost Creek Cemetery in Sheridan. Visitation: Tuesday, 6:00-8:00 P.M. at the funeral home. Pallbearers are grandsons and Willie Caton. Honorary Pallbearers are Jim Mayfield, Bro. Morris Cloud, Bro. W.A. Dillard, David Miller, L.C. Harrington, and the Arkansas Mission Builders. Memorials may be made to Texarkana Baptist Orphanage or to Arkansas Mission Builders.