Dana Cramer

Dana Beth Cornett Cramer, 71, of Brenham, TX, passed away surrounded by loved ones on July 26, 2025.

Dana was born on October 1, 1953, to Charles and Laura Jean (Fox) Cornett in Corpus Christi, TX. She was immediately loved by her older sister, Brenda, and she would later be an adoring big sister to her younger brother, Charlie. In true "middle child fashion," she was always a peacemaker, an empath, and wanted everyone she encountered to be happy. In addition to her brother and sister, she enjoyed a close and laughter-filled relationship with all of her many cousins.

She was baptized and confirmed at Grace United Methodist Church of Corpus Christi, and would continue to serve in the Methodist faith as secretary, choir member, Sunday school teacher, and vacation bible school teacher. She was employed by Texas National Bank in Brenham for several years, and made meaningful relationships with her customers. Several of them would choose to wait in a longer line for a little more time just to have her help them with their banking needs. These clients and others she would meet, would often pronounce her name as "Day-na," and she never corrected them.

Her husband, Bill (aka "Wild Bill"), called her "Rosanna-Rosanna-Dana" and they enjoyed traveling, eating and cooking great food, and raising a family together for 45 years. Another name she had was "Mom." One of her favorite "jobs" was being a mother to Jana and Leah. She taught them when they were upset that they "Had the same pants to get glad in," and when they were discouraged that "Can't never could." Her girls learned to pray all day and always sing songs on car trips. She never missed a game, recital, or event and often coached the girls' little league teams. She was the first to volunteer as Girl Scout troop leader, camp chaperone, planner of parties, and many carpools. She became a mother figure to many of Jana's and Leah's friends and always welcomed everyone to her home. Through Dana, Jana and Leah learned how to be moms themselves to Dana's precious grandchildren.

Her very favorite name was "Dandy." She loved her grandchildren, Lillie and Carter, with great devotion and constant concern, and there was often nothing that she wouldn't do for them. Neither of her grandchildren ever had formal swimming lessons, because Dandy had them out in the pool from the time they could hold their heads up. She began to be called "Dandy" by several more than just her grandchildren. Dandy loved having everyone over for pool parties, watching Astros, Texans, or college football, crawfish boils, and playing games.

Dana is now reunited with both her mother and father, her mother and father in-law (Bill and Nancy Cramer), several beloved aunts and uncles, and her cousin Curtis Wayne Fox Jr.

She is survived by her husband Bill, daughters Jana and Leah (Corey), grandchildren Lillie and Carter, sister Brenda Lowery and brother-in-law Fred, brother Charlie Cornett and sister-in-law Sara, nieces Katie (Eric) Soutter, Courtney (Justin) Adams, Cindy (Bryce) Seton-Rogers, nephews Matthew (Heather) Lowery, Charles (Elizabeth) Lowery, Justin (Alyssa) Cornett, Cindy (Bryce) Seton-Rogers, Stephen Cramer, several cousins and great nieces and nephews along with their extended families that she held dear to her heart, and her Uncle Curtis Fox.

Visitation with the family will be on Tuesday, August 5th from 4:00-6:00 at Memorial Oaks Chapel in Brenham followed by a memorial service at 6:00 pm.

The family would like to thank the staff at Brenham Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Hospice Care Amedysis, and Memorial Oaks Chapel for all of the care and support they have provided. Dana's family extends particular gratitude for Jennifer Zibilski Gore, Brandi Koehne, and long time friend Natalia Vela.