Obituary: Brianna (Thayer) Crossman, 31

Brianna Crossman

Obituary: Brianna Crossman, 31

Brianna Aldonna (Thayer) Crossman was tragically killed on Thursday, November 16, 2023. She was only 31 years old. We find solace in that she is looking down on us from Heaven surrounded by her great-grandparents and grandparents watching over and protecting those she left behind; especially held close by her namesake Aldonna Kran.

Bri was born at Womack Army Medical Center on Fort Bragg, North Carolina on August 22, 1992. When she was almost 2, she and her mother joined her father’s assignment in South Korea. Brianna was a delight in South Korea with her white blond hair and huge smile. Frequently, she would be passed from one smiling person to another joyful set of open arms on the local bus as her parents, Michael and Jackie, would unnecessarily worry. Brianna was one of the few American toddlers to live within 11 miles of the DMZ in a tiny village called Tongduchon.  After Korea, Brianna returned to Fort Bragg with the family to continue Michael’s career. It was during that time that her sister Emmarose was born. Brianna was a few months shy of 5 years old and wanted mother to wait to have her sister as her birthday present.  Despite the early birthday gift, Brianna delighted in being a big sister.

For a brief time, Bri’s family moved back to Michigan, where she attended kindergarten and first grade in Big Rapids. North Carolina, however, was home for the family, and they returned with Brianna where she eventually attended Jack Britt High School in Fayetteville. Her high school years were busy with ROTC, performing as the “Buccaneer” high school mascot, member of the homecoming court, and youth group activities. In July of 2006, Brianna was selected to participate in the first ever US Army Family Team Building Teen Council held in Atlanta, Georgia. This event focused on helping children and teens cope the lack of continuity in their lives caused by constant moves, changing schools, and multiple deployments of their service member parents. The positive outcome of this week-long conference was the Senior Stabilization Act. This changed the ability of a soldier to have to move his family in the year that their child was an upcoming senior…a big win for Army kids.  She was very proud to be a part of this resulting change for future Army children.

Fascinated and intrigued about everyone and everything around her, Brianna spread kindness and showed genuine care to everyone she met, instantly drawing people in with her infectious and warm smile. Bri’s hobbies included reading, journaling, drawing, fishing, adventure and travel. In her short life, Bri extensively explored the United States with her family and her grandparents, traveled to Amsterdam for work, and cruised through the Caribbean several times. And who from Michigan has not enjoyed Canada?

Bri graduated six months early from high school, enlisted in the Army, and there met her future husband, John Crossman. They married in 2011, had two beautiful daughters, Kighlee 11-years old, and Alayna, 8-years old. Brianna adored her girls, her buglets, and she loved being a mom. The girls appear to already carry their mother’s enduring spirit, spread her warmth, and show kindness at each turn.

Brianna’s loving family includes her cherished daughters, Kighlee and Alayna, her parents Jacquelyn Thayer (Daniel Reeder), and Michael Thayer (Cheri), her sister Emmarose Thayer (Austin Doidge), her sweet nephews Bodie and Hudson Doidge; step-siblings Haley Reeder, Andrew Reeder, Nichole Asato (niece Kendall Asato) and Rivers Fleming. Brianna was preceded in death her grandparents Charles Jr. and Patricia (Kran) Hagerman.

A celebration of life is planned for Saturday July 6, 2024; details for the celebration will be forthcoming. Please join us to celebrate Brianna’s life.

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death, or mourning, or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” – Revelations 21:4