ARDELL CRANE Sr.

On Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2014, our hearts were saddened by the passing of our beloved, Mr. Ardell Crane Sr. Mr. Crane was widely known by many as "Coach Crane." Mr. Crane, formerly of 2041 Walton St., Petersburg, Va., entered eternal rest and peace at the Hopewell Health Care Center.

Mr. Crane was the younger of two sons by the union of Andrew Crane and Bertha Hadley. He was a native of Houston, and came to the lovely City of Petersburg on active military duty where he was stationed at Fort Lee during the early '60s. During that time, he met his wife of 30 years and decided to make the city his home. From this union a lovely girl and two boys were raised, which ultimately prompted his coaching passion that he held onto for over 30 years, until his health began to fail him. He was the head coach of the "Westview Browns" of Petersburg. He was a longtime coach for the Petersburg Recreation Department from the '70s through the '90s. He also coached for the PYFA, Petersburg Youth Football Association (Wave), and the Petersburg Academic Sports League (R.E. Lee). He served as assistant head coach of the Vernon John Junior High School Jaguars of Petersburg from 2004-2006.

Mr. Crane also had a passion for gospel music and he managed the Gospel Horizons gospel group for many years. Mr. Crane also was a long-standing president of the Prestige Truckers, which was a van club in the city.

Mr. Crane was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved son, Michael Carlos Crane Sr.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his older brother, Junior "Lim" Hadley of Houston; his truly devoted ex-wife and lifelong friend, Carolyn Crane; his oldest son, David Crane (Detris) of Bartlett, Tenn.; his loving and devoted son, Ardell Crane Jr. (Charmaine); his loving and devoted daughter, Sheryl Scott (Calvin); eight loving grandchildren, Michael Crane Jr. (Danielle) of Baltimore, Tahisha Peterson (Jarrelle) of Hopewell, Va., Gregg Crane, Vondele Parham, Eric Scott Jr., Tempest Jones, Quan Crane, Kshatriya Crane of Hopewell, Va.; a loving stepgrandchild, Chevonte Hill; several great-grandchildren; a devoted cousin, Alex Craft; and a long list of friends which includes special family friends, Vonnie Parham, Dexter Hill and Marlow Jones, who Mr. Crane looked upon as a son of his own.

Services for Mr. Ardell "Coach" Crane Sr. will be held 1 p.m. Saturday Aug. 23, 2014, at the Tabernacle Baptist Church, 418 Halifax St., Petersburg, Va.; the Rev. Dr. Robert A. Diggs Sr., pastor, Elder Wesley Nicholas, eulogist and Dr. Phillip Williams officiating. Interment to follow at Wilkerson Memorial Cemetery.

Wake service from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22, 2014, at the funeral establishment.

The family will receive friends at 2041 Walton St., Petersburg Va.

Family members and friends are invited to pay final tribute to Mr. Crane at www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to the staff of J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment Inc., 102 South Ave., Petersburg, Va., 804-732-8911,www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.