Ruth Evelyn Crane

Ruth Evelyn Crane, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother passed away peacefully at the age of 91 on the morning of August 18, 2018. Ruth was a courageous, independent woman who always had a smile on her face and a positive attitude and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. Her generosity extended not only to her family but to anyone she came across that needed a little help.

Ruth was born in Carthage, Mississippi, on April 30, 1927, to her parents Emmett and Nellie (Jolly) Pickle. She was the youngest of 6 siblings – sisters Urcle and Stella and brothers Kermit, Hubert and Jack. Only her brother Jack survives her. Her father was a school teacher and administrator and her mother a homemaker and Ruth was raised on the farm in the Carthage area, later moving to Conehatta, Mississippi. In Conehatta she met her future husband and the love of her life, Charles James Crane when she was just a child but according to her it was “love at first site”. They were married in Vancouver, Washington in 1945 when James returned from service in the war. Shortly after their marriage the couple moved to Fort Worth, Texas to be closer to her sister Urcle and husband Bradley Evans. Eventually they settled in the Houston area where they had three children – Charles Earnest Crane, James Michael Crane and Sandra Ruth (Crane) Pipkin. All the children live in the Central Texas area with their families. In 1990 Ruth and James sold their home and business (Gulf Fence Co.) in Houston and moved to Austin to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Charles James Crane was deceased on February 19, 1992.

After her husband’s death in 1992 Ruth was determined to continue living a very adventurous and interesting life. She traveled extensively with several trips to Europe, Mexico, the Caribbean and other locales, learned to be an excellent artist and served in various organizations such as the Austin Christian Women’s Club, the Kiwanis Club and others. Her love for dancing led her to the Senior Activity Center on Shoalcrest Ave. where she enjoyed dancing to the orchestra and made many close friendships. In 2016 Ruth sold her home in Onion Creek and moved into the Independent Living section at Brookdale, Gaines Ranch. Her final years were spent with friends at Gaines Ranch where she was known for her keen Bridge skills.

Loved ones that survive and will miss Ruth until they meet again include her son Charles E. Crane and wife Pamela, their son Caleb and wife Sara, daughter Addison and son Wyatt; their son Ethan and wife Ashley, their sons Jack and Cooper; their daughter Haley Benardino and husband Joe Benardino. Also, Ruth’s son James M. Crane and wife Elizabeth, their son Christopher and wife Anoush, their son Oliver and daughter Ava; Lisa, Kennedy and Zadie in Toronto; and Ruth’s daughter Sandra Pipkin and husband Allen Pipkin, their son Eric and wife Shannon, their daughter Dylan; their son Willie and partner Emily and daughter Annabelle, and, their son Evan and wife Kristin and sons Charles, Eli and Evan. In addition, Ruth has numerous nieces and nephews in the Dallas/Ft. worth area, Mississippi and other parts of Texas.

A Memorial Service will be held at the Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home on Thursday, August 23, 2018 at 1:00 PM with interment immediately after and a short reception to follow.