The funeral service for Melba Joyce Crane will be at 2 p.m., Friday, October 20, at Union Hall Baptist Church, with burial in Strong Hope Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m., Thursday, Oct 19th, at Riverwood Family, and will resume from 1 p.m. until the time of service at Union Hall on Friday.
Mrs. Crane, 86, of Brookhaven, died October 17, 2023, at her home. She was born in Wesson, MS, June 22, 1937, to John Austin Keys and Anna Estelle Keys. She owned and operated her own business for 48 years and loved visiting with her customers. She was always interested in what they had to say, and she was always ready to listen. She enjoyed playing organ for her church and did so for more than 30 years. She played until a month ago. Mrs. Crane found watching football a great source of entertainment while enjoying the company of her beloved K-9 companions, Princess, Sergeant, Annie, and Milo. She will be greatly missed by her family and the many friends she made through the years.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Glen Crane; her parents; two sons, Ricky Crane and Larry Crane; three brothers and two sisters, Howard, “Sis” Grace, Jimmy, Elsie, Carl Ray.
She is survived by her children, Calvin Crane and wife, Kathy, Bruce Crane and wife, Candy, and Misti Crane; five grandchildren, Brandon Russell, Jarrad Ashley and wife, Brittany, Taylor Berry and husband, Nathan, Leslie White and husband, Chris, and Shelbie Crane; and eight great grandchildren, Zoey Ashley, Zada Ashley, Zane Ashley, Flynn Berry, Collins Berry, Noah White, Spencer White, and Lucas White. She is also survived by a host of other loving family members and friends.
In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Blair E. Batson Children’s Hospital, 2500 N State Street, Jackson, MS 39216.
Union Hall Baptist Church Address is 1242 Nola Rd NE, Brookhaven, MS 39601.
