JUSTIN CROSSLEY

OBITUARY OF MR. JUSTIN JAMEL (JHAE) CROSSLEY

On a crisp winter Saturday morning, January 7, 1989 at 7:57 a.m., a beautiful baby boy entered this world at St. Francis Medical Center in Lynwood, California. He was welcomed to our family by his mother, Lillie Ruth Edmondson and his aunt Melwyn Johnson. This handsome young baby boy was given the name Justin Jamel Crossley. He was given his middle name after his aunt Melwyn. Because he and his mom were so calm during his birth, the doctor commented that he could deliver babies all day because this was the easiest delivery that he had ever experienced. Lillie Ruth had been hypnotized four days earlier and it appeared Justin also experienced the effects of hypnosis too.

Justin and his mom lived in Cudahy, CA and later Lancaster CA for almost two years with his Aunt Melwyn and his cousins, Tamara and Freida until he and his mom moved back to El Dorado, Arkansas. While in Arkansas, LaTara, Jojo and Justin were thrilled to welcome their new baby brother, Jamonte, to their growing family in 1991. His family lived in El Dorado for several years with their grandmother Alfriza. His mom decided it was time to seek better opportunities for them, so they moved to Venice, Illinois for several years. In 1998, his mom decided to make their home in Lancaster, California.

Justin always had a desire to know and learn about Jesus Christ and he was always happy to attend church on Sunday with his family and other children. Justin began his walk with Jesus Christ on October 19, 1998 at Lancaster Baptist Church and was baptized on June 13, 1999 under the pastorage of Dr. Paul Chappelle. Justin also attended Agape Baptist Church in Lancaster, CA. In 2005, the family became members of Wayside Christian Church on 42nd Street and at the present location under the pastorage of Dr. John M. Ward. Whenever he was in El Dorado, he attended First Baptist Church with his grandmother, mom and family.

Justin began his education in El Dorado, AR and Venice, Illinois. After moving to California, he received his education in the Lancaster Elementary School District . He attended elementary school at Joshua Elementary and Linda Verde Elementary Schools. He received his secondary education in the Antelope Valley Union High School District where he attended Antelope Valley High School. He later took some college courses at Antelope Valley College in Lancaster, CA.

Justin had a love for sports, especially basketball. He was known as “Little Kobe”! He participated in travel basketball and youth football. He played basketball with the Antelope Valley YMCA Lakers where he excelled in the sport. He also played basketball with the Antelope Valley Athletic Club where he excelled and won several awards and trophies.

On May 17, 2010, Justin’s mom, Lillie, passed away. Tara and her husband, Andre, assumed the role of parenting Jojo, Justin, and Jamonte along with their children until they were ready to venture out on their own.

Justin had a desire to help his family and he knew that he had to work in order to accomplish his dreams. He was employed in several positions and often worked two jobs. His first job was at Sport Chalet in Palmdale, CA. He worked for Rite Aid Distribution Warehouse in Lancaster, CA. Justin also worked at other warehouse distribution centers in San Bernardino, Los Angeles and Orange counties. Justin worked as a Crossing Guard in San Bernardino and most recently, he was employed as a Security Guard at Lineage Logistics in Fontana.

After moving from Lancaster, Justin lived in San Dimas, San Bernardino and most recently in Fontana. He loved to visit new places and meet new people. Justin was a quiet, compassionate and loving father, son, brother, grandson, nephew, and friend. Journe’e was the love of his life. He took a paternity leave from his job so that he could bond with her and be a good father to her. He spent as much time as he could with her and loved to spoil her as much as possible. He loved his family and his friends dearly and he especially loved children. He enjoyed hanging out with his friends and co-workers. He always had a smile on his face and did not let people upset him. He was easy going, soft spoken, kind, tender-hearted, patient and a peace-maker. He enjoyed his life and time on earth and he lived his life to the fullest. But, Justin still longed for and missed his mom very much, along with many other close family members.

Justin answered the call to come and live in his eternal home on May 4, 2023 at Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Fontana. He was welcomed into Heaven by our Heavenly Father, his mother, Lille Ruth Edmondson, his father, James Crossley Sr. who passed away two years earlier on May 4th, his maternal grandfather, John F. Moore, Sr., his aunts, Rose Mary Moore and Alfriza Anita Moore, his uncle, John F. Moore, Jr. , his great grandparents John and Rosie Mack, Jeff and Savannah Matthews, grandparents, John, Sr. and Alice Crossley and many other family members and friends.

His precious memories and legacy will be forever cherished by his daughter, Journe’e LilyRose Crossley, his loving and dedicated sister, LaTara Edmondson Brown (Andre), brothers, Victor Joseph Napoleon and Jamonte Moore (Tiana) all of Lancaster, CA, sisters, Jasmine Crossley of El Dorado, AR, Jacquelyn Rochelle of TN, and James Crossley, Jr. of Hot Springs, AR. His memories will also be cherished by his special brother Van Edmondson, Jr. and sister Kandace Edmondson, his grandmother, Alfriza Moore, of El Dorado, AR, and his aunt Melwyn Johnson-Primus (Moses) of Lancaster, CA., his nephews, Tre’Ajani, Lamontre, Elijah, Kahmari, Kyce, his nieces Tiara, Anaya, Londyn Skky, Anjahne, Armentta, Andrea, Arrian, Pavianna, and London. He is also survived by his special big cousins Gerrard Johnson (Jennifer), Tamara Johnson Patterson (Deon), Freida Johnson-Ford, Jermarael Moore (Robin), and Meshayle Moore Davis (Jason), his little cousins Jaida, Jarren, Meliah, Dior, Jaylah, Jamiyah, Reggie, Kierre, J.J., Jamon, Brenden, Braylee and Jaeraelyn. His memories will also be forever cherished by his special and adoring girlfriend, Yari Smith and her family. He had a love for children and God blessed him with bonus children whom he adored and loved unconditionally - Serenity, Khalilah, Dane’, Zanarah, Zaillah, E’shun, and D’shun. His memory will also be cherished by Glen Ford, Robert Ford, numerous cousins, relatives and friends, life-long friend Josh Cribbs, his special AVAC and YMCA teammates, classmates and coworkers. We loved Justin dearly and he will be in our hearts forever!