Jo Ann McDowell Crane

Jo Ann McDowell Crane, a cherished wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, daughter, and sister, passed away peacefully on September 30, 2025, in Alvin, Texas, surrounded by her loving family, after a courageous battle with Bulbar ALS. She was 78 years old.

She was born in Houston, Texas, on February 15, 1947, to Paschal “Pat” McDowell and Gloria Kirby McDowell.

Jo Ann attended Milby High School and continued her education at San Jacinto Junior College. In 1979, she married the love of her life, William “Bill” Crane. Married for 46 years, they built a beautiful life together and lovingly raised six children. Throughout her career, Jo Ann worked as an Office Manager and Executive Assistant for various companies. She most recently dedicated 17 years to the Houston Carpenters and Millwrights Training Center.

Jo Ann embraced life with passion and energy. She loved to dance — especially “The Whip” with her beloved husband, Bill — and found joy in her horses, horseback riding competitions, scuba diving, water skiing, and visits to casinos. She also played the piano and took great pleasure in scenic drives in her Corvette with the top down. Whether wearing a mink coat or cowgirl boots, Jo Ann’s signature style was always bold and full of flair.

Family was the heart of Jo Ann’s world. Lovingly known as “NaNa” to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, she poured her love into creating special moments and lifelong memories for her family and friends. She especially treasured hosting holiday gatherings at their home in Alvin — complete with backyard bonfires, roasted hot dogs and s’mores, Easter egg hunts with bounce houses, front yard football games, and go-kart rides. Teaching her grandchildren to ride horses and taking them on annual trips to The Christmas Train at Living Stones Church were among her greatest joys. Jo Ann also deeply cherished time spent with friends, sharing laughter, stories, and memories — both old and new.

Although she may no longer walk among us, the impact of her presence endures in the lives she touched, the values she instilled, and the light she left behind in everything and everyone she loved.

Jo Ann was preceded in death by her father, Pat McDowell; mother, Gloria McDowell; brother, Raymond McDowell; niece, Shannon Brasher; daughter, Kimberly Brennan; and grandson, Justin Collinsworth.

She is survived by her husband, Bill Crane; her sister, Patricia Wright, and her husband, Fred; her devoted children: Connie Redmon and her husband, Steve; Kimberly Holt and her husband, Tracy; Lisa Dyan Gates; Kellee Crane Garcia and her husband, Leonardo; and Michael Crane and his wife, Heather; as well as her nieces and nephews: Steven Abbott, Stacy Swanick, Amanda Pickard, Fred Wright Jr., and Shelly Armstrong. She leaves a lasting legacy through her 21 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.

A celebration of Jo Ann’s life will be held on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home, 6900 Lawndale Street, Houston, Texas 77023. The memorial service will begin at 10:00 AM in the Large Chapel, followed by a graveside service and a reception in the Magnolia Suite.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in Jo Ann’s name to the ALS Association. Online donations may be made at: https://www.houstonmethodist.org/giving

To designate your gift, click “Donate Now,” then select “Program or Initiative,” and choose the “Stanley H. Appel Endowment for Excellence Innovation” from the list.