SERVICES:       Tuesday, October 1, 2024

Dixie United Methodist Church, Hattiesburg

2:00 p.m.

INTERMENT:    Crosby Cemetery, Moselle

VISITATION:     Monday, September 30, 2024

Jones & Son Funeral Home, Moselle

5:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Rev. Johnny Jolly Crosby, Jr., 68, of Moselle, MS passed away Friday, September 27, 2024 surrounded by family at Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg.

Johnny was born January 28, 1956 and was the oldest son of Jolly and Patricia (Sexton) Crosby.  Growing up on the family farm in Moselle instilled in Johnny a strong work ethic and sense of integrity.  He gained a desire to learn new things and work at them until he mastered them.

He graduated from South Jones High School in 1974.  He continued his education at Jones County Junior College and William Carey University. While attending JCJC in 1976, he met and soon after married his wife Connie.  After completion of his undergraduate education, Johnny entered seminary and graduated with his Master's of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary in 1986.  Johnny was ordained as an Elder in the Mississippi Conference of the United Methodist Church in 1988.

Over his almost 50 years in ministry, Johnny served more than 25 churches throughout the Mississippi Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.  Many of those churches were served simultaneously with another church on a charge.  His first appointment was serving a four-point circuit of churches in Wayne County.   In addition to the numerous local churches he served, Johnny served as the Brookhaven District Superintendent and Executive Director of Camp Wesley Pines.  For Johnny, ministry was not just his profession as a clergyperson; he lived his life as a ministry.

Johnny had a unique way of relating to people and building relationships through hard work and genuine interest in new hobbies and ministries.  Throughout the years, Johnny pursued more hobbies than most.  Whether he was singing, woodworking, making pottery, farming, or shooting archery, he viewed his life through the lens of ministry.  He met people with compassion, love, and a joyful spirit.

Two of his passions were missions and camping ministry (specifically Camp Wesley Pines).  His servant-heart helped lead multiple local and international missions.  He was passionate about disaster recovery and helped lead the assembly of many flood buckets and helped in numerous capacities after Hurricane Katrina.  Before ever serving as the Executive Director at Camp Wesley Pines, Johnny volunteered for more than 20 years at Wesley Pines in capacities ranging from counselor to weekly camp director to board member.  He was known for his creative and unique camp experiences during his years as a camp director.  He always made space for "buddy burners" and shaving cream wars, but he made certain not to lose the true intent of camp – to point children to Jesus.  He could often be found bursting out in his favorite camp tune "I've Got Joy Down in My Heart."

In more recent years leading up to and following his retirement, he pursued woodcarving, archery, and a rekindled passion for farming.  As he honed his archery talents, he built his own archery range to host tournaments and events.  Even then, he saw this as an opportunity to minister to others. He planted corn and ground it into cornmeal in his own gristmill.    He never shied away from an opportunity to make five gallons of ice cream in his ice cream freezer powered by his hit-and-miss John Deere motor.  He usually had to taste test dessert before a meal with his infamous line, "Life is uncertain; eat dessert first." Recently, Johnny found great joy in reconnecting with many of his SJHS classmates for their 50th class reunion.

He loved his friends and family, but his grandchildren had his heart. Johnny was an avid outdoorsman and loved working with his hands.  He would tell you he liked to "piddle," but in reality, God truly blessed the work that he did with his hands.  He was truly a unique vessel molded by God's hands.

Johnny is survived by his wife of almost 48 years, Connie Crosby of Moselle; father, Johnny Jolly (Barbara) Crosby, Sr. of Moselle; daughters, Jessica (Jonathan) Tullos of Summit and Sarah (Brandon) Halford of Brandon; five grandchildren; brother, Dr. Sammy Crosby (Abby) of Hattiesburg; sister-in-law, JoAnna Crosby of Moselle, and a host of nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Johnny was preceded in death by his mother Patricia Ann Crosby, brother William Edward Crosby, and granddaughter Hannah Katherine Tullos.

Visitation for Bro. Johnny will be at Jones and Son Funeral Home in Moselle, MS on Monday, September 30, 2024 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.  On Tuesday, October 1, 2024 at Dixie United Methodist Church, there will be a 1 p.m. visitation followed by a Celebration of Life service at 2 p.m.  There will be a private burial later in the afternoon.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Camp Wesley Pines.