John Wesley Crosby, 97
December 8, 1928 – October 21, 2026
PALMETTO – John Wesley Crosby, Palmetto Community native and longtime resident died on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026 at his home in Watauga, Alabama at the ripe old age of 97. John was born in the Palmetto community on Dec. 8, 1928. He graduated from Verona High School in 1946 and remained over the years in touch with his classmates.
He joined the U. S. Army as a 17 year old and saw action in the Korean Conflict and had two tours of duty in Vietnam. He retired after 22 years of military service. John was a jack of all trades and always called Palmetto his home. He spent 15 years in Tampa, Fla. where he worked for the Lincoln Mercury dealer there. He retired back to Lee County in 1996 and lived here until moving to Alabama 3 years ago.
John was an avid outdoorsman, loved his farm and raised prized Tennessee Walking Horses. John stayed healthy until his 97th year when his health began to decline after a dementia diagnosis. He loved to reminisce over history and ancestry especially as it related to “Palmetto” people. John was a lifelong Methodist having professed his faith at an early age at Palmetto Methodist Church where he was still a member at his death.
A memorial service celebrating his life will take place at 4 PM Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026 in the Sadie Holland Memorial Chapel at Holland Funeral Directors-Tupelo with his daughters and others speaking. He will be buried in Alabama. Holland Funeral Directors is honored to be serving their friends. (662 840 5000).
John leaves behind his daughters, Tina Wallington and Danni Maddox of Mooreville; his siblings, Robert Crosby, Jr. of Houston,Tx., Larry Douglas Crosby of Mooreville and Ann Thompson Ivy of Palmetto; his grandchildren, nieces and nephews and their families. He was preceded in death by his late wive; Margie Crosby, his parents, Annie Lindsey Crosby-Thach and Robert Crosby, Sr.; brother, Charles Crosby, sisters, Ona McMillan and Birdie May Franks and his son, John Warren “Johnny” Crosby in 2018.
Memorials may be made to Palmetto Methodist Church, P. O. Box 370, Verona, MS 38879.
Please follow the funeral home link above for further information, or to send online condolences or memorial gifts.
~
