Anthony Crespo

Owner and Funeral Director

Anthony Crespo has dedicated his professional career to guiding those in need through some of life’s most difficult challenges. He graduated from Commonwealth College of Science and received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Houston. Anthony was awarded the designation Certified Funeral Service Professional that recognizes his ongoing commitment to the fair, ethical, and professional practice of funeral service.

In 2001, Anthony and his wife, Madeleine, founded L.A. Crespo Funeral Directors and operated it as a team before adding Dave Jirrels as a partner in 2005 and forming Crespo & Jirrels Funeral and Cremation Services. Through the years, Anthony has served in numerous civic and professional leadership roles, including past president of the Houston Metropolitan Funeral Directors Association, past president of Southeast Texas Funeral Directors Association, past president of Kiwanis Club of Baytown, former member of the Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District Board of Trustees, and as board member of the Baytown Family YMCA. For more than 30 years, he has been well regarded for his expertise in international funeral arrangements for visitors from other countries, and his many years of experience uniquely qualify him to provide each family with an exceptional tribute to the memory of their loved one.

Madeleine Crespo

Owner and Funeral Director

Madeleine Cavicchioni Crespo is a founding partner of Crespo & Jirrels Funeral and Cremation Services. A native of Tucson, Arizona, she began her funeral service career in 1978, earned her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Arizona, and graduated from the Institute of Funeral Service in Houston. As a licensed funeral director, she has devoted her time and talent to representing Texas funeral service in a multitude of capacities including corporate safety officer, national customer service trainer and industry marketing and public relations specialist. In July 2001, she and her husband, Anthony, established L.A. Crespo Funeral Directors to provide excellence in funeral care to the families of Baytown and surrounding areas. Madeleine has served the community on numerous boards and organizational committees over the years, including the Lee College Foundation, Sterling Municipal Library, Service League of Baytown, Rotary Club of Baytown, the Baytown unit of the American Cancer Society, and the Institutional Ethics Committee of Memorial Hermann Hospital in the Texas Medical Center. Two of her special outreach projects sponsored through Crespo & Jirrels include the G.I.F.T. social support program for widowed members of the community, and serving as Partner in Education with the Peter E. Hyland Alternative Learning Program of Goose Creek CISD. Madeleine is an advocate of ongoing education and is currently pursuing her Master’s degree at Texas Women’s University

Linda Kelly

Linda Kelly first joined Crespo & Jirrels as a part-time receptionist in August of 2005, after retiring in 2004 as a teacher and administrator at the Alternative Learning Program in Goose Creek CISD. Prior to joining Goose Creek, Linda was a teacher in Aldine ISD, Director of Extension Services for Sterling Municipal Library and Branch Librarian for Harris County Library in Crosby. A member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Baytown, Linda is married to Lee Kelly and is the mother of two daughters, Kristy and Amy, and grandmother of three grandsons and one granddaughter. Linda was born in San Antonio and raised in South Texas, and has a Bachelor of Arts in political science and speech from Houston Baptist University and a Masters of Science in Educational Management from University of Houston Clear Lake. Linda now works full-time at Crespo & Jirrels as Coordinator for Aftercare, among many other responsibilities, and is often the first voice heard and the first face seen when one calls or visits the funeral home. She enjoys helping others and has no plans to retire in the near future.

David Pryor

David Pryor has been an assistant funeral director with Crespo & Jirrels since 2005. A native of Goose Creek, David graduated from Robert E. Lee High School and studied business at Lee College. He had a long career in the garment industry and graduated from the National Institute of Dry Cleaners. From 1984 to 1987, he and Dorey, his wife of 27 years, owned Dorey’s Wedding Chapel and Florist. Although retired, he is a licensed non-denominational minister and often officiates at weddings and funerals. David and Dorey have ten children between them, including 23 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Mayra Garcia

A Baytown native, Mayra Garcia graduated from Robert E. Lee High School class of 2004, and began her career with Crespo & Jirrels as a part-time visitation attendant and catering assistant. She attended Lee College where she was enrolled in the cosmetology program. A valued member of the Crespo & Jirrels team since 2007, Mayra’s responsibilities have grown to include receptionist and administrative duties, and she takes pride and great care in assisting those she serves. She and her husband, Benjamin, have three sons.

Connie Owens

Connie Owens has been a part-time receptionist and visitation attendant since joining the Crespo & Jirrels family in 2008. Born in Baytown, Connie spent her early years in Highlands and Baytown, and is a graduate of Ross S. Sterling High School. Connie worked at NASA Space Center for several different contractors for over 31 years and is now employed full time with BDI Resources at ExxonMobil in Baytown as a Senior Clerk. She and her son, Dalton, are active members of Cedar Bayou Grace United Methodist Church where Connie serves on several committees including Faith & Outreach and Faith in Action ministries. For the past twelve years, Connie has been actively involved as a committee member of Boy Scout Troop 93. Dalton became an Eagle Scout in February 2012 with Troop 93, and is enrolled at Blinn Jr. College in Bryan, Texas. Connie enjoys camping, fishing, gardening, and playing with their kitty, Leon.

Mitch Cornelius

Always sociable and outgoing, Mitch can often be found co-hosting the G.I.F.T. social outreach program which meets the first Thursday of each month. The meetings are held at a local restaurant and are designed with the sole purpose of providing a social network for widowed persons to meet for fellowship and lunch. Mitch joined the Crespo & Jirrels family in 2011 as an advance-planning counselor and licensed insurance agent, assisting families with their preneed arrangements. He is also a warm and welcoming presence during visitations and services, and takes great care in making families feel as comfortable as possible. We also call on Mitch’s excellent customer service skills to provide post-service follow up and aftercare outreach, where he ensures that the expectations of those we serve are not merely met, but exceeded in every possible way.

Originally from Humble, Texas, Mitch resides in Seabrook and attends Clear Creek Community Church where he is a greeter and participates in small group and other church activities. He also attends the Friday morning Men’s Fellowship at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Baytown, and considers his walk in faith the most important part of his life. Mitch is a father and grandfather, and enjoys current events, nature, and an active, healthy lifestyle.

Kristin Tullywaters

Originally from Evansville, Indiana, Kristin Katherine Tullywaters has called Baytown home for the past two and a half years. Kristin’s background in nursing makes her particularly well suited for her current position as a visitation attendant and part-time receptionist where she takes great satisfaction in serving families and their guests with sincerity, compassion, and understanding. She also has a background as a gemologist and bench tech jeweler. Kristin enjoys cross-stitching and reading, and is a collector of miniatures. Her extended family includes her cats.