John W. Chrestman

Smithville – John Wilton Chrestman, 58, died on Friday, August 17, 2012, at University of MS Medical Center, Jackson. Born on October 25, 1953, in Houston, he was a son of the late Wilton Eldridge and Dempsey Gwendolyn Riddle Chrestman.

John was a graduate of Houlka High School, Class of 1971. Playing basketball while in college, he graduated from ICC in 1973; Delta State University in 1975; and received his Master’s degree in 1976, while serving as a Graduate Assistant coaching at Delta State University. While in school, John went with a group of students to Guatemala, where they taught basketball skills to children. John married Wanda Ford on September 27, 1984. An educator, he coached basketball at Smithville High School, retiring in June 2001. Accepting a job at Sulligent Schools, John served as the Elementary School principal and girls High School basketball coach from 2001 until retiring in June 2011. Loving the Lord, he was a member of Smithville Baptist Church and was a former Sunday school teacher. He enjoyed farming, hunting, and Old Gospel music. John was a member of American Angus Association, ICC Alumni Board, Monroe County Power Board, and Mississippi Educators Association. A compassionate and hard-working man who loved his family dearly, John lived his life by focusing on his daily walk with the Lord and then on his family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Wanda Ford Chrestman, Smithville; daughter, Gwendolyn Kathleen “Katie” Chrestman, Amory; sisters, Rita Windham (William), Tupelo, and Margo Terry, Houlka; brothers, Charles Chrestman (Regina), Lumberton, NC, and Kim Chrestman (Amy), Water Valley; nieces and nephews, Karen Windham, Keith Windham (Rhonda), Carla Cothern (Josh), Vicki Chrestman, David Chrestman (Kacy), Rachel Chism (Tommy), Ryan Terry (Raelynne), Elizabeth Chrestman, and Anna Chrestman; and special family, Phil Prewitt (Shannon), Smithville, Aunt Juanita Michael, Booneville, Uncle and Aunt, Boyd and Velle Riddle, New Site, and Nancy and John Bomar, Grenada.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother-in-law, Will Terry; and a nephew, Stewart Windham.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2 PM, Monday, August 20 at Smithville Baptist Church with Bro. Wes White officiating. Burial will follow in Haughton Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Jason McKay, Mike Cummings, Stacey Hathcock, Brad Stevens, Ben Gardner, and John Helton. Honorary pallbearers will be Bo Hathcock, Bo Stevens, Lamar Standifer, Donald Ray Vandiver, Jim Gunter, Jon Carithers, Travis Dulany, Carlos Walls, and Lillard Cummings.

Visitation will be from 4 – 8 PM, Sunday at E. E. Pickle Funeral Home. Mr. Chrestman will lie-in-state from 1 PM until the service hour on Monday at the church.

Memorials may be given to Smithville Baptist Church, PO Box 52, Smithville, MS 38870.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at eepicklefuneralhome.com.