Barbara Bolen Crossley

Tupelo - Barbara Bolen Crossley passed away peacefully September 15, 2026, at Landmark Lifestyles in Tupelo, Mississippi. She was born September 29, 1946, to James L. Bolen and Ruby Smith Bolen. Barbara was 79 years old, just two weeks shy of her 80th birthday.

Barbara married Wayne Crossley in 1976, and together they raised their two children, Craig Seay and Cassie Crossley Swoope. In 1982, Barbara and Wayne began operating Southernaire, a private aviation business at the Tupelo Regional Airport. Barbara was a strong and successful businesswoman who was never afraid of hard work. She was determined, capable, resourceful and always got the job done. She took great pride in the business she and Wayne built together.

When Wayne died in a plane crash in 1994, Barbara faced not only the devastating loss of her husband, but also the responsibility of continuing the business they had built together. For the next thirteen years, she ran Southernaire on her own, handling the business and everything that came with it. She kept going and continued to make the business successful. In 2007, after 25 years of operating Southernaire, she sold the business to the City of Tupelo.

Barbara had a remarkable heart for caring for others. She had a special affection for the elderly and spent many years looking after people in her family and her community. She drove them to doctor’s appointments, checked on them, and cared for them for years. She delivered Meals on Wheels and was always willing to step in when someone needed a hand. Barbara was a member of Harrisburg Baptist Church and especially enjoyed attending Sunday School. Her church, her faith and the people she worshipped with were an important part of her life.

She was an unbelievable mother, the absolute best there was. She loved her children fiercely and was always there for them. She was never shy about telling her family exactly what they needed to do, and they usually knew better than to argue with her. As her family grew, so did her joy. She loved being a grandmother and great-grandmother and took enormous pride in each of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Anyone who knew Barbara knew how deeply she loved her family. They were the center of her life and her greatest source of happiness.

In the final months of her life, Barbara was cared for by the staff at Landmark Lifestyles and by caregivers who spent time with her each day. Her family is grateful for the care they gave her and for being there with her during those months. Barbara lived a full and meaningful life. She built and ran a successful business, raised a family she adored, cared for countless other people, and faced some very difficult seasons with courage and determination. Through it all, she kept moving forward, kept loving her family and kept taking care of the people around her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, James L. Bolen and Ruby Smith Bolen; brother, Tim Bolen; and her beloved husband, Wayne Crossley.

She is survived by her son, Craig Seay; daughter, Cassie Crossley Swoope; son-in-law, Field Swoope; grandchildren, Aubrey Garmen (Kyler), Ben Seay (Madison), Carter Seay, Carley Seay, Corbin Swoope, Leighton Swoope, and Foster Swoope; and great-grandchildren, Mia Seay, Mason Seay, and Crossley Garmen.

Visitation will be from 12 p.m. until service time Friday, September 18, 2026, at Pegues, Tupelo.

A service celebrating Barbara’s life will be at 2 p.m. at the Jefferson Street Chapel of Pegues Funeral Directors with Dr. Forrest Sheffield and Bro. David Smith officiating.

Pallbearers will be Kyler Garmen, Jay Hawkins, Geoffrey Ryan, Ben Seay, Carter Seay, Corbin Swoope, and Field Swoope.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Richard Archibald, Bo Gibens, and Jim Hawkins.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Meals on Wheels-Mississippi Methodist Senior Services of Tupelo, Mississippi, in Barbara’s memory.

Barbara was deeply loved by her family and friends and by so many people whose lives she touched. She will be remembered for her strength, her caring heart, her strong opinions, her willingness to help others, and most of all, for how much she loved her family.

She was deeply loved, and she will be deeply missed.

Expressions of sympathy and fond memories may be made to www.peguesfuneralhome.com.