Mother Willie Mae Carroll Crane of 493 Crane Street, Pinehurst, Georgia died Thursday, November 16, 2023 at Navicent Health in Macon, Georgia.

The funeral service will be held Saturday, November 25, 2023 at 2:30 PM in the sanctuary of Evergreen Baptist Church in Pinehurst, Georgia.  The burial will follow at the Vienna City Cemetery in Vienna, Georgia.

On December 24, 1938, the union of Lewis Carroll and Minnie Nora Carroll was wonderfully blessed with the birth of a daughter.  They lovingly named her Willie Mae.

Born in Dooly County, Georgia, she was educated in the public school system.  She was a graduate of Vienna High School.

Early in her life she accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior and   became a member of the Evergreen Baptist Church in Pinehurst, Georgia.  As she grew and learned of the Lord, she served Him and the people of God faithfully.  A member of the choir, she also served on the Mission Board and the Mother Board.  Her love for singing led to her becoming a member of the Fellowship Union Choir.  She was a dedicated member for 40 plus years.

For 37 years she was a loyal Food Service Worker  at Robins Air Force Base.  She never met a stranger and would always greet people with her favorite sayings, "Honey Sugar" or "Darling Baby".  She also loved dancing, especially doing the "James Brown."  A known "DIVA" she enjoyed shopping, dressing up, and stepping in her heels.

On Thursday, November 16, 2023, she traded the cares of this life for a life free of pain.  She and her husband, Deacon Vette T. Crane, shared their lives together until his passing on September 3, 2023.  Along with her parents, she is preceded in death by her children, Beatrice Shazer, Christine Crane and Alvin Crane; and her brother, Robert Lee Luster.

Memories of her life will be cherished by her loving and devoted children, Linda Faye (Dwight) Horsey, Willis Ray (LaChandra) Crane, Levora (Elijah) Holt, Leila (Melvin) Ecford, Calvin (Debra)  Bailey and Rufus (Amanda) Crane all of Warner Robins, Georgia,  Gandy (Mary) Gary of Rockingham, North Carolina, Geraldine Holley and Marion Leonard both Miami, Florida, Israel Crane of   Vienna, Georgia and Vette T. Crane, III of Fort Valley, Georgia; 96 grandchildren; 67 great grandchildren; 22 great, great grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many sorrowing friends, to include her close cousins and friends,  Lillie Crane of Pinehurst, Georgia, Shirley Woodson of Vienna, Georgia and Jimmy Anderson of Miami, Florida.