Bette L Crane

Bette Lynn Dancy Crane, a long-time resident of Grapevine, TX, died Friday, September 26, surrounded by her loving family. Bette was born in 1929, the daughter of Louis and Margaret Dancy of Stanton, Tennessee. The Dancy family - including Bette and her three sisters -- soon moved to Covington, TN. After graduating from high school in Covington, Bette moved to Washington D.C., where she worked as an administrative clerk for the FBI. It was at the FBI that Bette met Charles M. Crane, and the two were married. Bette raised seven children - 6 girls and one boy. The Crane family moved many times, living in Grand Rapids, Michigan, both Angola and Tonawanda, NY, Somerville, NJ, and Fort Worth and Amarillo, TX. No matter where the family resided, Bette loved being outdoors and enjoyed gardening and hiking, and passed that love of nature on to all of her children. After moving to Fort Worth, she soon cultivated a passion for sailing as a member of the Fort Worth Boat Club. Bette also loved to host and entertain, and her culinary accomplishments were legendary among friends and family. She also found time to pursue her interest in accounting and worked in many different industries -- including automotive and education -- and for the United Way of Amarillo. Most recently Bette worked for the Grapevine Public Library as a library assistant. She was an avid reader and enjoyed working in an environment that supported reading and learning for children and adults. Bette will be lovingly remembered for her grace, charm, sense of humor, incredible gourmet skills, and for the enormous love and devotion she had for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. ·Bette is preceded in death by her parents and a daughter, Mary Ellen Crane. ·Bette is survived by her son, Chris Crane and his wife Susan of California, Kentucky; five daughters, Emily Galpin and her husband Henry of Southlake, Texas; Susan Avakian of Eldorado, Kansas; Miller Crane of Irving, Texas; Eve Crane of Richardson, Texas; Lisa Chaudhry of Irving, Texas; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; three sisters, Lyde Miller of Covington, Tennessee; Emily Waggoner of Covington, Tennessee; Suzanne Veerkamp of Memphis Tennessee and numerous other family members and friends. Memorial donations can be made to NatureReach (naturereach.org), which brings the wonders of the outdoors to those who may not have ready access to a nature experience.