Lester "Tazzie" Crosby

Emmett Lester Crosby, (Tazzie) was born March 14, 1953 in Canton, MS, and passed January 26, 2025.

Lester was married to Sara Janice Nichols Crosby on October 24, 1971. They had a long and happy marriage for over 53 years.

Lester was retired after working as a security guard, owing a joint business with his son in law, Steven and nephew, Paul. Lester worked offshore for over 25 years.

Even though, he was gone from home he always made time to help others and for his family when he was home.

Lester, (Tazzie) as he was known to most people, served as the Pearl volunteer assist. Fire chief for several years and helped train at the Mississippi fire academy. He was a super dad for girl scouts of America and state rainbow dad for the rainbow girls of the masonic lodge in Pearl, MS, where he was a mason.

Lester did not serve in the military but his father and father in law did. He loved his country. He was involved with the Sons of the American legion and served as the SAL commander for several years and went on to become the southern area national commander.

Lester, (Tazzie) loved the outdoors and taking care of the grandkids’ small farm and helping Janice run doggie daycare for the kids. Tazzie loved to help Keith work on his vehicles and would always brag that his grandson cut his hair. He enjoyed going fishing with Tyler and feeding the pet deer behind the horse barn. Austin and Tazzie would talk about off-shore work and running that tractor. Tazzie enjoyed doing what he could to help Sara Jo get her grooming shop and bridal shop up and running. He called Sara Jo turtle when she was born and she now sports a turtle tattoo on her hand. The name Tazzie came from Marlee and he would call her Pooh Bear. He never missed the chance to show Chas’s children the farm animals and tell them all about what had been happening on the farm.

Lester is preceded in death by his father, Clifford Lester Crosby and mother, Mary Alice Crawford Crosby, two brothers Hugh Crosby, Buck, Sr. and Claude Neil Crosby, an infant grandson of Steven and Amanda Housley, and two infant children of Brian and Marlee Adams.

Lester is survived by his wife, Sara Janice Nichols Crosby, two daughters, Leslie Janiece Crosby Moss (James), and Amanda Jo Crosby Housley (Steven). Grandchildren, Chasity Moss Scarborough (Joseph), Marlee Renee Adams (Brian), Sara Jo Crosby Housley (Steven w. Fiancée) Austin Rhett Crosby Housley (Rivers), Tyler Barton Crosby Housley, and Keith Elliott Tanner II, two sisters, Vickie Crosby Toombs (Ed) and Frances Crosby Dolan (Mark), one brother, John Lewis Crosby (Carrie), five great grandchildren and lots of nieces and nephews along with lots of friends.

The family would like to thank all the friends for all the prayers, messages and calls. We ask that you continue to lift us in your prayers.