Esther LaFerney Obituary

Esther Jean Crockett LaFerney

December 28, 1934 -

September 2, 2025

Esther Jean Crockett LaFerney was the first daughter, but second child, born to Neal VanWinkle Crockett and Shellie Grace McMahan Crockett in tiny Portageville, Missouri on December 28, 1934. She grew up on her father's small cotton farm, spending school holidays and summers working in the fields with her 3 brothers and 2 sisters alongside her parents. She always had happy memories of their simple life, working hard together to make a living, and occasionally going to the river to fish or swim with her father. As a child she went to church with her family at a small Methodist church. One of her lifelong happy memories was when a generous man in their church financed a chance for her to attend a Christian youth camp. She never forgot that week. She played clarinet in the band at her small country high school, played the mother in her senior class play, went to New Orleans for her senior trip, and graduated from Portageville High School in 1953.

Just a few weeks later, she married her husband, Don Harold LaFerney (Sr.) on May 1, 1953. The following May 1954, she became a mother to the first of her four children, Donna Jean LaFerney Wheatley. A few months later, the little family of three moved to Wichita, Kansas. They moved into a small apartment in the downtown area of Wichita and a few weeks later, they received a visit from a Nazarene church in the area. They were invited to church the next day, and they went. As a result, they attended First Church of the Nazarene for the thirteen years they lived in Wichita. In 1955, Carol Sue LaFerney Haworth was born. In the early years, her husband, Don, worked at the Boeing Aircraft factory during the days, and delivered newspapers in the early mornings before work in order to make extra money. This paper route would later turn into a career opportunity for him at the Wichita Eagle/Beacon. Though they lived on 20 pounds of potatoes the first two weeks they lived in Wichita, they worked together to make ends meet, to save, and to take care of their family. As the years went by, they purchased first a duplex in which they lived, renting the other half for income. Then, when Donna and Carol were ready to begin school, they built a small home in a good school district. Some years later, two boys were born: David Neal LaFerney, and Don Harold LaFerney, Jr.

In 1966, Don Sr. moved his family to Logansport, Indiana where he took on his first management position in the town's newspaper. Jean left her friends and home and followed him faithfully with her children in tow. After one year, they moved to Kingsport, TN.

Jean, as she was called by everyone, was the glue that held the family together. Being a wife and mom was a career that she worked hard at. She ironed shirts for her businessman husband, sewed beautiful clothes for her daughters, was famous for her cooking, took care of the house, gave wise counsel, and worked tirelessly to raise four happy, healthy, children. She saw to it that all four kids, as she called us, attended church every single week and Christian youth camps every single summer. She taught us morals, honesty, integrity, a strong work ethic, and she maintained order: which was a tall order in itself. She was a dedicated church woman. She cooked and sewed and served the church in too many ways to list. She was loved and she will be missed.

The family will receive friends Monday, September 15, 2025, from 12:00-1:00 pm at Heritage First Church of God, 470 Rock Springs Road, Kingsport, TN 37663.

A Celebration of Life Service will begin at 1:00 pm with Pastor Steve Tilley officiating.

Graveside Service will follow at 2:30 pm in Christus Garden at Oak Hill Memorial Park. Family members and friends will serve as pallbearers.

The family extends their sincere appreciation to the staff of Brookdale, Colonial Heights, for their exceptional care of our mother.

To share memories and condolences with the family please visit www.oakhillfh.com

The care of Esther Jean LaFerney and her family has been entrusted to the staff of Oak Hill Funeral & Cremation Services.