Forrest DeVant Crissey

DeVant Crissey, age 90, passed away peacefully on Dec. 4, 2020. A Marietta native, he was born on Washington Ave on July 3, 1930. As a lifelong member of Marietta First Baptist Church, he joked that he thought he was born on the second pew of the chapel. DeVant was a life deacon who loved working with the youth of the church. He also served on various committees, was involved with disaster relief, and served in community mission programs. His strong faith and servant’s heart led him to minister to many people in their life journeys. In his retirement years he designed and built the cross that hangs in the baptistry of the sanctuary. He graduated from Marietta High School in 1949. As a proud Blue Devil, he enjoyed playing football where he earned the nickname “Count” and helped carry his team to the Regional Title. He later attended GA State College. For about 8 years he carried the mail and brightened the lives of others with his easy smile. In 1966 he opened DeVant Crissey Studio. He began with custom picture framing and later grew his business to focus on the conservation of oil paintings, which included the portraits at the state capital and the Coca-Cola Company art collection. He was awarded national recognition for his custom framing and was named a Fellow of the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works. He enjoyed the outdoors, RV travel, and he was a gifted woodworker. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clinton E. and Merty Blackwell Crissey, his brother Merrill Crissey, his sisters Jerri Gabriel and Martha McCurley, and also an infant son, Floyd DeVant. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Jeanette Holloway Crissey, his daughter, Laura Crockarell (Bailey), his son, Mark Crissey (Dana), granddaughters, Jaclyn Wood (Zack) and Stephanie George (Noah), and great grandchildren, Lucy and Esther George, Charlie and Dean DeVant Wood; brother, George Crissey (Clair); sister-in-law, Ruth Crissey. Visitation and funeral service will be held on December 15 at Marietta First Baptist Church sanctuary with visitation at 1:00 pm and the funeral service at 2:00 pm. Memorial contributions can be made to the Youth Ministry at Marietta First Baptist Church, 148 Church Street, Marietta, GA 30060.

Forrest DeVant Crissey

July 3, 1930 - December 4, 2020