Loretta Mae Crane

Loretta Mae Gardner Crane was peacefully received into the arms of her heavenly father after 78 years on earth and a long and courageous battle with Multiple Myeloma, a blood cancer, on July 2, 2009. Loretta was born in Bar Harbor, Maine on March 9, 1931 to William and Onalee Richard Gardner.After graduating from Bar Harbor High School in 1949, Loretta moved to Cambridge, Mass., where she worked as a housekeeper at a private school. At a park, she met Marion H. "Bob" Crane on Navy shore leave. For the next two years, Bob mailed her postcards from his world travels. After his discharge, Loretta followed Bob to Oak Ridge where she worked for Taft Moody Ice Cream Company. They were married in Oak Ridge April 7, 1951.Loretta was a member of Calvary Baptist Church and a former member of Robertsville Baptist Church.She loved to crochet and knit. In 2008, she won a blue ribbon for a knitted afghan. She enjoyed putting up vegetables for winter use. Her family especially loved her home-canned tomatoes.Loretta volunteered at the Holiday Bureau for over thirty years. She became temporary director for a short time. She loved sorting the toys and helping parents choose toys for their children.If she knew of a family in need anytime of the year, Loretta would personally deliver food, toys, clothes and other items she had collected, often surprising the recipients. She was known for her hospitality and generosity.Loretta encouraged the personal growth of children. At various times, she taught Sunday School, Bible School and Girl Scouts. Many called her Granny Crane, though not all were blood kin. Everyone was blessed to know her.Loretta loved a good laugh and enjoyed playing card games, especially when traveling or camping. She traveled with her family throughout the United States, visiting many interesting place and people.Loretta most enjoyed entertaining her extended family and many friends on holidays, birthdays, summer picnics and whenever someone stopped by to visit.Loretta worked as a housekeeper for many years to families in Oak Ridge. She retired from the Oak Ridge Heath Dept., where she worked as a nurse's aide. She continued some private duty until last summer.Loretta was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Bob Crane and brothers, William "Billy" Gardner, Shirley "Booger" Gardner and Ronnie Gardner.She is survived by:Daughters, Sharon Crane of Oak Ridge, Barbara (Skip) Schill of Dickinson, TX and Rhonda Netzhimer of Daytona Beach, FL;Son, Kenny (Faye) Crane of Oak Ridge;Grandchildren, Aaron (Beth) Johnson of Maryville, Moses Moonwood of Knoxville, Sam Crane and Casey Crane of Coalfield, Adam (Jennifer) Schill and Bradley (Laura) Schill, all of Angleton, TX; Cristina Crane and Kevin Crane of Oak Ridge and Cassandra Netzhimer, William Netzhimer, Vanessa Netzhimer and Wessley Netzhimer, all of Daytona Beach, FL;Great grandchildren, Aaryel Johnson of Oliver Springs, Emma Grace Simpson of Maryville, Maya Moonwood and Arlo Moonwood of Knoxville, Brayze Schill, Braylee Schill, Braden Schill and Braxton Jo Schill, all of Angleton, TX;Sisters, Louise (Sid) Emerson and Bonnie (Bart) Tokas, of Ellsworth, ME;Beverly (Millard) Billings of Franklin, ME; Betty (Don) Abbott of Lakeland, FL and Claribell (Bruce) Regimbel of Bar Harbor, ME;Brothers, Richard (Barbara) Gardner of Franklin, ME and Delbert (Kim) Gardner of Bath, ME;Sisters-in-law, Ginny Gardner of Sunrise, MD; Bette Brehm of Bangor, ME; Janie McCollum of Lenoir City, TN and Norma Watts of Houston, TX;Special friends, Gene and Marie Corley, Bobbie Sheppard, Myrtle Henry, Way Goeble, Ann Garner, Dot Alcorn and Donna Guthrie.The family would like to express their thanks to the Staff and Nurses at Cumberland Oncology and 4 -West of Methodist Medical Center.The family will receive friends on Tuesday, July 7, 2009 from 6 – 8pm at Weatherford Mortuary. The funeral will be at 8:00pm with Rev. David Christopher officiating. Graveside services are Wednesday, 11am at Oak Ridge Memorial Park. Her grandsons will serve as pallbearers.Memorial contributions can be made to Calvary Baptist Church Building Fund or the Multiple Myeloma Foundation.An on-line guest book can be signed at www.weatherfordmortuary.com.