Cleatus Luster Crain, 96, a charter member and deacon of White Oak General Baptist Church in Rector, died Sunday, June 1, 2008, at NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital in Jonesboro.

Born April 3, 1912, to Arthur and Maudie Huffstutler Crain in Dunklin County, Mo., he was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 74 years, Mary Anna Farmer Crain; two sons, Ralph E. Crain Sr. and Luster Ray Crain; one daughter, Carolyn June Crain; one sister, Ruth Crain Thompson, and one brother, Melvin Crain.

He is survived by one daughter, Cleata Crain Daniel and husband, James of Jonesboro; one son, R. Gaylon Crain and wife, Cathy of Jonesboro; one daughter-in-law, Bonnie Miller Crain of Jonesboro; seven grandchildren, David Daniel and wife Beverly, Stan Daniel and wife Maria, Karen Daniel White and husband Tommy, Ralph Crain Jr. and wife Trina, Brian Crain and wife Jamie, Clay Crain and wife Stephanie, and Stephanie Crain Busch and husband Brenton; 10 great-grandchildren, Matt Daniel, Josh Daniel and wife Nicole, Meredith Daniel, Madison Daniel, Dustin White, Zac White, Jonathan Crain, Kaylee Crain, Kirk Busch and Connor Crain, and by one great-great-granddaughter, Finley Daniel.

He also is survived by three sisters, Audry Lamb of Rockford, Ill., Ruby Reynolds of Flint, Mich., and Margaret Griffin of Paragould; three brothers, William "Buster" Crain of Jonesboro, Vernon Crain of Orlando, Fla., and Donald Crain of Ore City, Texas, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Mr. Crain was listed as the eighth member of White Oak General Baptist Church of Rector, organized on Aug. 21, 1939. He was a member of New Life Assembly Church of Jonesboro. A retired farmer and factory worker, he loved gardening and was an avid sports fan.

Funeral services were at 10 a.m. today (Wednesday, June 4) at Mitchell Funeral Home Chapel in Paragould with Rev. Jerry Jolly officiating. Burial was in Woodland Heights Cemetery in Rector.

Pallbearers were his grandsons and honorary pallbearers were all other grandchildren.

Those who wish may sign the online guest registry at www.mitchellfuneralhomes.com