Carol Jean Crane's Obituary
Carol Jean was born in New Boston, TX to Herman W. Jackson (deceased) and Betty Jean Dalby Jackson. Carol spent her adolescence at Red River Courts in New Boston along with her brothers Carl W. and Billy Herman. She was an active member of First Baptist Church of New Boston, where she was saved and baptized on Easter at age 9 by Pastor Monroe. She performed in the choir and served in the Girls Auxiliary, passing the “Queen’s Step” at age 13. Carol attended New Boston High School where she played clarinet in the band and was involved with the pep squad, FHA, speech and Spanish clubs, as well as the yearbook staff. During her senior year in 1966, her father passed away shortly before her graduation. This made for a hard transition into her adult years as her father was so near and dear to her heart. In 1968, Carol moved with her family to Greenville, TX for her junior year at East Texas State University and attended Park Street Baptist Church under the guidance of Brother Bell. It was in 1969 that she started work as a file clerk for Capitol Records while living with her aunt, Pat Bynum, in Carrollton, TX. After moving to Century 21 Apartments in Dallas in 1970, she worked as an admissions clerk for St. Paul Hospital and attended North Dallas Baptist Church under the guidance of Rev. Robbie Jones. It was during this time that she met the love of her life, Lee Crane. Lee and Carol were married April 7, 1972 at First Baptist Church of Dallas by Rev. Hugh Bishop. On December 13, 1973, Lee and Carol welcomed their first child, Karen Leigh, at St. Paul Hospital in Dallas. It was three years later that Lee and Carol would purchase a home and move to Richardson, TX where Carol began devoting her life to her family. On February 13, 1979, they had their second child, H.W. Jay, at Medical Center Dallas. Carol and Lee began attending First Baptist Church of Richardson in 1982. It was during this time that she became involved with her children’s school activities at Heights Elementary. She became historian for the PTA, served as a homeroom mother, actively volunteered in the library, and led the Brownie Troop for the Girl Scouts. When both Karen and Jay became members of the Richardson High School Band, she participated as an active Golden Eagle Band booster club parent. After Karen’s marriage to Jason Matthew Rainey in May of 1998, Carol decided to return to work and was hired as an associate in the customer service department at Dillard’s. Lee and Carol attended a Sunday school class at First Baptist Church of Richardson led by Dr. Robert Fielder, and during this time, they developed a close relationship with the Fielder family. After Dr. Fielder’s death in 2002, Carol felt called to serve as caregiver for his wife, Margaret. In 2004, Carol started work as a caregiver for the West family in Dallas, TX until she fell ill with uterine cancer in 2005. Carol overcame her illness and quickly began volunteer work for First Baptist Church of Richardson where she was able to help many people in need. After Jay’s marriage to Stephanie Lauren Ervin in March 2007, Carol suffered a number of health issues that led to a decline in her strength. However, she was determined to be involved in her grandchildren’s lives. After the birth of Landon Lee Crane on June 29, 2009, Carol decided to look after Landon as his nanny. She welcomed Abigail Leigh Rainey on February 2, 2010, Jackson Thomas Crane on June 30, 2011, and Kinley Lauren Crane on March 31, 2016. She cherished her role as Mother and Gran the same, with selflessness and loving devotion. Family and friends will remember Carol as a bright light who enjoyed life and loved to have fun. She was a woman of many talents. As a housewife, Carol’s cooking and sewing were exceptional gifts, but she also loved to tackle home improvement projects as she was not intimidated to conquer home repairs. Carol also loved to play the piano, to sing and dance, and she was never afraid to reveal her inner child. Holidays, especially Christmas, were her special times to be a child again. Carol’s children and grandchildren were what she lived for. She loved to give to them and strived to help others. She gave her time. She gave her love. She gave her body. Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, October 20, 2016 at 2 PM at the First Baptist Church in Richardson. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted into Restland Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 13005 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75243.
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