Amaryllis Marie Sweeten Crandall, 89, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on Thursday, September 8, 2022. She was born on July 17, 1933, in Davis, Oklahoma, to Clara Anthony and George Sweeten.
In true Marie fashion, she planned her funeral, as not to be a burden to her family. Here are her memories, written in her words:
“Our country was in a depression; times were hard and food was scarce. Biscuits with water gravy was served often. We were young, so my sister and I had a great time playing outside with our dolls under the trees. Times improved and we moved to a trailer park in San Diego, California, my mom and dad secured jobs in an airplane factory building war planes. My dad was a sheet metal worker and my mom was a “Rosie the Riveter.” We eventually moved back to Davis, Oklahoma, lived in my grandmother’s big two-story house and had a great life. Times were a lot better. I met Tommy at Davis High School and we married July 30, 1951 in Oklahoma City. My proudest family moments were marrying Tommy and then having the birth of our three children, they were the apple of our eyes. We loved family living. Then our grandchildren came along, oh such joy. They were our stars. I went back to school, received my GED and went to floral school so I could open my own business. I opened Re’s Posey Basket after I raised my family. Karen came and joined me and we had 20 years of great satisfaction. We enjoyed working together. “
As a mother, wife and Grannie Moms she was loving, kind, generous, enjoyed the simple things in life, led by example, the true cornerstone of our family and a friend to all. She enjoyed gardening, cooking and baked over 3000 pies at her home in Sour Lake. She was also a faithful member of the Major Drive Church of Christ, spending her time creating bible class material in the resource room, teaching bible classes, devoting time to her fellow members with her presence and homecooked meals. She often joked we could take her independence from her, but we could never take her Dr. Pepper and she would be buried with one by her side. And so, respecting her wishes, she will be taking one last Dr. Pepper with her.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband of 71 years, Tommy Layne Crandall; her sons Andy Crandall and wife Kathy, Keith Crandall and wife Dana, and her daughter Karen Kasseroler and her husband Larry. She is also survived by her grandchildren; Kaylynn Marie Wolfford, Kalina Gallier and her husband Blake, Trey Crandall and his finance’ Jennifer, Aaron Crandall and wife Mandy, Larra Hanzel and her husband Malcolm and Christy McCort and her husband Ryan. Marie, also known as GG, is survived by her great grandchildren; Brooklyn Marie Wolfford,Ty Wolfford, Payton Gallier, Audrey Marie Crandall, Zachary Hanzel and his wife Hannah, Sean Hanzel and his wife Ariel, Lauren Hawk and her husband Brandon, Jeremey Hanzel, Reagan McCort, Cole McCort and Allie McCort.
Marie was preceded in death by her parents, Clara and George Sweeten, and her sister, Joyce Butler.
Our family would like to express appreciation to the nurses, home caregivers and the staff at Collier Park for their great care.
Visitation is Friday, September 16th, at 12 pm, followed by her funeral at 2 pm, burial at Forest Lawn immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers,you may make donations in memory of Mrs. Amaryllis Marie Crandall to H. J. Band Directors, P.O. Box 186, Sour Lake, Texas 77659.
