E “Lavada” Crane *
E.”Lavada” (Morrall) Crane, 82, of Palmyra, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her family at 10:39 AM on Saturday, October 22nd, 2022.
Friends and family are invited to Lavada’s Life Celebration and visitation that will be held from 5:00pm to 7:00pm on Thursday, October 27th, 2022, at Lewis Brothers Funeral Chapel in Palmyra, MO.
Funeral Services will be held at 10.00 AM on Friday, October 28th, 2022, at Lewis Brothers Funeral Chapel. Pastor Mark Carpenter will officiate. Burial to follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Palmyra, MO.
Lavada was born January 10, 1940, to Virgil “Bud” and Eleanor V. Banks Morrall. She married Richard A. Crane on January 15th, 1964, he survives.
Survivors include her husband Richard A. Crane, three daughters, Laurie Kirkland (Clyde) of Hannibal, MO., Lanella Jones (Roger) of Jacksonville, AR., and Becky Damron of Palmyra MO. Sister, Jackie Johnston of Palmyra, MO., mother-in law Betty Vance, Hannibal, MO., sisters-in-law, Catherine Shockey (Phil) of Monroe City, MO., Rojean Riley, Miami, OK., Sharon Crane of Miller, MO., and Cindy Benjamin (Rod) of Hannibal, MO. Brother-in-laws: Allen Vance, Hannibal, MO., Kevin Crane, Miller, MO., and Steven Crane, Quincy, IL. Grandchildren Justin Kirkland (Tonya), Hannibal, MO., Chris Jones (Nichole), Eustace, TX., Allen McCoy (Caroline) Navarre, FL., Garrett McCoy (Tiffany) Fort Walton Beach, FL., Wendy Cole, Fort Walton Beach, FL., Dakota Damron (Denise), Palmyra, MO., Dannica Hettinger (Matthew), Palmyra, MO., and Patrick Jones (Ashley), Pensacola, FL. Great grandchildren, Ashley McCoy, Navarre, FL., Hannah Damron, Palmyra MO., Christopher Jones, Eustace, TX., Aiden McCoy, Fort Walton Beach, FL., Evan Cole, Fort Walton Beach, FL., Jarret Damron, Palmyra, MO., Emma Jones, Eustace, TX., Addison Kirkland, Hannibal, MO., Lilly McCoy, Fort Walton Beach, FL., Samantha Jones, Eustace, TX., Aurora McCoy, Navarre, FL., Ellie Damron, Palmyra, MO., Hannah Jones, Eustace, TX., and expecting Baby Boy Damron, Palmyra, MO. Lavada was also loved by numerous nieces and nephews and her beloved fur babies, Sam and Jazzi.
Lavada was preceded in death by her parents, one grandson Christopher McCoy, fathers-in-law Otis Crane and Dick Vance, sister, Linda Majors; sister-in-law, Susan Smith; brothers-in-law, Otis Crane, Artie Crane, Charles Johnston, Gary Crane, and Gene Smith. Special friends Charlie Alderton and Phyllis Bush.
Lavada graduated from Marion County R-II High School in 1957 and was a graduate of Gem City College in Quincy, IL.
Lavada worked at Southwest Bell, Crown Shoe Factory, Motorola, American Safety, Hannibal Arts Council, finishing out her working career in Industrial Tool Sales in Quincy, IL.
Lavada enjoyed watching Richard race and traveled with him along with their racing family to many tri-state dirt tracks every summer weekend for over 30 years. She was an avid follower of NASCAR with Jeff Gordon being her favorite driver until he retired, and then she changed to follow Chase Elliott. She enjoyed spending time doing just about anything with Richard, but some of her favorites were golfing, riding their Harley Davidson Ultra motorcycles, and traveling every year to Florida to see family. She was an avid scrapbooker and crafter. She made many, many, photo albums capturing a lifetime of memories for her family so that they would always have them to keep and enjoy. She was dedicated to her favorite daytime show “Days of Our Lives” and was passionate about playing “Tri-ominos” where she expressed her competitive side. She loved spending time with her family and would travel any distance to be a part of her kids or grandkids events. What Lavada cherished most was the family dinners that she would prepare on Sundays for her family and friends. She loved to have large groups of people in her home enjoying meals and welcomed the opportunity to prepare food for her family. She even made special aprons for her daughters to encourage them to carry that tradition forward with their families. She really enjoyed the yearly Halloween Hot Dog Roast which placed many kids and families within reach of her generous and loving spirit. Lavada loved to create personal cards that she made by hand to give to family and friends. She seemed to always know what to say and would always include a special surprise in each card which was her way of saying that she loved them. Lavada was a person who loved unconditionally with a generous spirit that touched and cared for people. She was a special listener and would welcome the opportunity to assist any who may have needed a helping hand. She gave her heart and soul to her family and to so many people in her lifetime. She will be missed very much by all who knew and loved her.
Lavada was a member of First Christian Church in Palmyra, MO.
Pallbearers will be Shawn Vance, Christopher Jones, Allen McCoy, Garrett McCoy, Dakota Damron, and Patrick Jones.
Honorary pallbearers are Mark Miller, Jason Crane, Wendy Jones, Dannica Hettinger, Matthew Hettinger, Rick Frankel, Steve Wegs, Rob Bush, Tim Wright, Tony Ragar, and her Racing Family.
Memorials are to be made out to First Christian Church or the Palmyra Nutrition Center, both of Palmyra, MO.
Online condolences may be shared, and video tribute viewed at www.lewisbrothersfuneralchapel.com.
Published by Herald-Whig on Oct. 24, 2022.