Leola Crosslin Sain, known simply and lovingly as “Ma”, age 95, was welcomed into heaven on July 17, 2026, at her home surrounded by her family. Born June 23, 1931, in her family’s home in Coffee County, she was the daughter of Charlie and Bertha Crosslin.
Faith, family, and community were at the center of Leola’s life. She was a lifelong member of the Midway and Lumley Stand Churches of Christ. At home, she found happiness in her garden, in a good game of cards with family and friends, and in preserving the stories that made her the family historian. She had a gift for keeping generations connected.
On August 12, 1949, Leola married Roy C. Sain, and they shared 63 years together. Her career included work with Duck River Electric Company and the Coffee County Board of Education. She was also the steady hand behind Roy Sain Masonry, making sure the men reached the right job site, the bills and staff were paid, and Roy was happy.
Leola never stayed on the sidelines when her community needed her. She served as a substitute teacher at Woodland Elementary School, gave 20 years to the Ivy Bluff Home Demonstration Club, volunteered with the Pocahontas and Coffee County senior citizen centers and the Cannon County Arts Center, and was named Woman of the Year by the National Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs in 1979.
In addition to her parents, Leola was preceded in death by her husband, Roy; her brothers, Charles Jr. (Naomi), Delos (Alta) and Aaron (Marge) Crosslin; and her grandson, Jason (Heidi) Sain.
She is survived by her sister, Betty Jo (Ewin L.) Rigney; her sons, Dan (Laurie) Sain and Barry (Peggy) Sain; and a family whose love reaches across five generations.
Dan and Laurie’s family includes grandchildren Frank (Wendy) Sain, Melanie (Dave) Taylor, the late Jason (Heidi) Sain, Joseph (Cindy) Sain, and Allison (Rece) Chumley; and great grandchildren Amanda and Sarah Sain; Alex Taylor and Paige (Joseph) Jenson; Brityn, Davis, and Lyla Rose Sain; and Jaden, Chay (Abby), Elliana, and Mason Chumley.
Barry and Peggy’s family includes grandchildren Brad (Joni) Sain, Brent (Tonda) Sain, and Ashley (Shaun) Abellana; great grandchildren, Brooke Sain (Brandon Rhodes), Brielle (Gabe) Baker, Brandon (Shaylee) Sain, Briley (Jacob) Garms, and Aidan, Landan, and Rylan Abellana; and great great grandchildren, Judd and Jones Rhodes, Dacie Baker, and Stella Sain.
She is also remembered with love by a host of nieces and nephews and by her speicla caregivers, Drue Jimenez and Jan Cunningham.
Visitation will be held Saturday, July 25, 2026, from 11:00am until 2:00pm with funeral services following at 2:00pm in the chapel of Central Funeral Home with Dan Sain and Foy Rigney officiating. Burial will follow at Shady Grove Cemetery in Morrison, TN.
Leola loved bright, beautiful colors and the cheer they brought with them. Her family asks those attending the funeral to wear something colorful in her honor – a simple way to remember the warmth and joy she brought to the people around her. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Dusty Elam Foundation.
Central Funeral Home is honored to serve the Sain family, 931-723-7774, centralfuneralhome.com
