Rebecca Sayre Crane

Rebecca Sayre Crane passed away on Saturday, February 7, 2026. She was born in Gadsden, Alabama, on August 10, 1947. Rebecca was the second daughter of Julian Walt Sayre and Pauline Brock Sayre.

She graduated from Etowah High School in 1965 at the age of 17. Then, began her work career at G.C. Murphy & Co in the Agricola Shopping Center as the Office Manager. While working at "Murphy's," through a co-worker, she went on a blind date and met her future husband, Billy Ray Crane. They began dating in September 1966 and married on January 29, 1967, at Fairview Baptist Church. When talking to her father about getting married so quickly, he replied, "As long as you are sure." When Bill passed away in 2021, after 54 years of marriage, she knew they had both been "sure."

She later worked at Clinical Urology Associates for 10 years as a Medical Secretary. Then, in 1991, she began her very fulfilling career as the Office Manager at Fredrick W. Feist Sr., M.D., Psychiatry. This was her second home, as she worked there for 20 years. She made an impact on many patients & families throughout the years.

Rebecca was an avid reader. Her love for books began as a young child. She always said that was one of her vices. She was a collector of books. Her library was comprised of over 500 books. She enjoyed many genres, but her favorites were legal thrillers with a lot of courtroom drama. In later years, she listened to audiobooks each day.

She enjoyed singing in the choir, Easter pageants & Christmas cantatas at Fairview Baptist Church, White Springs Baptist Church, Southside Baptist Church & Bellevue Baptist Church. When she was young, about 5 years old, the choir director at Fairview Baptist Church, Buck Buchanan, would stand her on the piano bench to let her sing.

She is preceded in death by her father, Julian Walt Sayre, mother, Pauline Brock Sayre, her sister, Barbara Sayre Maise, her brother-in-law, Rhonwyn Joe Maise Sr., brother, Doyle Wayne Sayre, and the love of her life, Billy Ray Crane.

Rebecca is survived by her daughter: Christi Anna (Chris) Ash, grandsons: Devan & Khristopher Ash, nieces and nephews: Paula (David) McDaniel, Rhonwyn Joe "Joey"(Amy) Maise Jr., Jennifer (Carl) Knight, great nieces and nephews: Andrew (Robin) Maise, Julian (Harlie) Maise, Carlen (Brenden) Perry, Austin (Jolie) McDaniel, Alex Knight & Henry Knight, great great nieces: Magnolia & Camellia Perry, cousins: Elaine, Jacqueline, Kerry, Nancy, Paulette, Ray & Sue, special friends: Tonya Brown, Linda Davis, Gary & Tina Martin, her Oak Landing Family, and her tiniest companion, Ivy Marie, her feisty shih tzu.

A special thanks to her second family at Oak Landing Assisted Living, Aveanna Hospice Care, and the faculty and staff of Gadsden Healthcare.

Wishing to help others, Rebecca's body has been donated to the University of Alabama's Anatomical Donor Program to aid in teaching and research. There will be no services. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Fairview Baptist Church's Vacation Bible School Fund in memory of Rebecca.

"His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me."