Leona Luzader Crisco

Leona (Lea) Luzader Ashcraft Crisco, 79, of Bismarck, Arkansas died Wednesday, September 14, 2016 of complications of Pulmonary Fibrosis. She was born March 5, 1937 in Hot Springs, Arkansas to the late Dewey and Anna Pearl Hall Luzader. Lea grew up and attended school in Leola, Arkansas where she graduated salutatorian of her graduating class. She left Draughon School of Business and began her employment with Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in Little Rock in 1957. While employed with SWBT she transferred to Houston, Texas when a new Accounting Division opened and was promoted into Management there. She eventually transferred to the Plant Dept. where she experienced many "firsts" as a female manager. She transferred back to Arkansas after thirteen years in Houston and worked in Material Management and Distribution. In 1983, she was transferred to AT&T and was assigned a job in Ft. Worth, Texas. While on this job Lea enjoyed her "dream job" for two years. She supervised a work force of 43 employees in a warehouse and distribution operation with 37 delivery routes. They won many company awards for maintaining all company indexes for Outstanding Performances. This prompted a transfer to Oklahoma City and then on to Denver CO. During this tenure, Lea was recognized as an expert in the field of Investment and Distribution and won several personal awards for her leadership performances. She retired after 30 years with the Bell system and returned home to Arkansas but continued to work for various companies. Lea was a member of Park Hill Baptist Church in Arkadelphia. She was a member of Hot Springs Emblem Club #194 where she served as President for two years. She loved to attend Community colleges taking courses on various subjects that interested her. She loved to read, garden, dance, and spend time with her family and friends. In addition to her parents, she is predeceased by three brothers, Wayne, Edwin, and George Luzader, nephews, Jacob and Kent Luzader, niece, Terri Luzader; her husband, Thomas (Buddy) Crisco who passed away on October 27, 2015. She is survived by her beloved son, Randy Ashcraft of North Richland Hills, Texas; granddaughter, Haley (Darrel) smith; two great-granddaughters, Kaydence Doering and Olivia Smith of Arlington, Texas; brother, Paul (Carol) Luzader of Carthage; sister-in-law, Peggy Luzader; nephew, Landon Luzader of Leola; niece, Lindsey Lewllen of Sheridan; niece, Angie (Craig) Wasson of Bismarck, extended family members and a group of friends who were very special to her. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Saturday, September 17, 2016 at Memorial Gardens Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Larry Crutchfield officiating. Burial will follow at Leola Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, 6–8 p.m. at the funeral home on Hwy. 167 North, Sheridan. Arrangements by Memorial Gardens Funeral Home of Sheridan (870) 942-1306. To sign the online guestbook, www.memorialgardenssheridan.com.