Sarah Nell Wiggins Crane

Sarah Nell Wiggins Crane, 91, passed away on January 15, 2024, in Shreveport, Louisiana following a brief illness. She was the widow of Frank Crane. They shared almost 66 years of marriage together.

Born in Wallace Ridge, Louisiana on July 17, 1932, she was the daughter of Warren Lee and Ruby Eugenia (Sumrall) Wiggins. Nell graduated from Harrisonburg High School, Class of 1950 – the first class that went for 12 grades in Louisiana. During high school, Nell played basketball. Her talent on the court led to her being recruited by the telephone company to play on their travel basketball team that traveled the southern United States. She also worked as a telephone operator when not traveling with the team. During this time, Nell’s roommate introduced her to the love of her life, Franklin (Frank) Pierce Crane.

Nell and Frank married on June 11, 1955, and lived in Shreveport for many years raising their family. Nell continued working for the phone company for many years full-time and then transitioned to part-time after the birth of her children. They moved to Springfield, Virginia near Washington, D.C. in 1979 because Frank accepted a position with the U.S. Government Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration. While in Virginia, Nell became a licensed Real Estate Agent working for Long & Foster. She continued her love of raising children by starting a licensed daycare/childcare business in her home and remained in contact with the children and their families throughout her lifetime. She was dubbed “Mama Nell” by one of the children and that stuck to the point that the whole neighborhood called her by that name, and it became the name most of her grandchildren called her.

Nell was truly a Christian woman and devout in her faith. In Louisiana, Nell (and Frank) were longstanding members of Kings Highway Christian Church - KHCC (Disciples of Christ) in Shreveport. In Virginia, they were members of the Springfield Christian Church - SCC (Disciples of Christ). Nell was very involved in the women’s groups at both churches and served as an Elder at SCC.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister (spouse), N. Vondell “Von” Wiggins Duvall (Leonard), and her four brothers (spouses), Vernie Lee Wiggins (Mary), Warren Lynn Wiggins (Wanda), Naum Ray Wiggins, Ronnie Gene Wiggins (Evelyn), and one son, David Hollis Crane.

She is survived by her children (spouses): Linda Crane Woods (Paul) of Booneville, MO; Sondra Crane Snyder (Dan) of Fairfax Station, VA; Charles Crane (Kim) of Houston, TX; Larry Crane (Donna) of Shreveport, LA; Beverly Crane Albritton (Brad) of Shreveport, LA; Nancy Crane Mumaw (Ed) of Frederick, MD; grandchildren (spouses): Stephanie Calton (Mike), Paul G. Woods (Bethany), Mark Snyder, William Snyder, Loren Moore, Hunter Moore (Katy), Connor Crane, Cooper Crane, Jackson Crane, Lauren Crane Tucker (Douglas), Lindsey Crane Berteau (Micah), Landon Crane, Cole Albritton, Peyton Albritton, Emily Mumaw Warren (Andrew), Ryan Mumaw, Samuel Mumaw, Evan Mumaw; and 18 great-grandchildren along with a multitude of cousins, nieces, nephews, and a host of friends.

She was the best wife, mother (“Mom”, “Mama-Lou”), grandmother (“Mama-Nell”/”Grandma”), aunt and friend that anyone could have asked for and she will be missed by all who knew and loved her. She was very funny and loved to laugh and tell jokes. Nell never met a stranger and was known for her gift of gab.

The family would like to extend special thanks to Nell’s friend and hairstylist, Mrs. Beverly Sapp, her caregiver and friend, Ms. Jennie Hicks, and her Kings Highway Christian Church family. Additional thanks are extended to the Willis-Knighton Pierremont ER and 5th Floor ICU staff for their compassionate and loving care.

Services will be held at Kings Highway Christian Church in Shreveport, LA at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 20, 2024, conducted by Pastor Steve Lesher. Interment will follow immediately at Forest Park Cemetery. The visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the service.

Pallbearers: Larry Crane, Charles Crane, Landon Crane, Cole Albritton, William Snyder, and Hunter Moore. Honorary Pallbearers: Paul Woods, Dan Snyder, Brad Albritton, Ed Mumaw, Paul G. Woods, Mark Snyder, Ryan, Sam, and Evan Mumaw, Connor, Jackson, and Cooper Crane.

In lieu of flowers, please consider giving a donation to Kings Highway Christian Church (Shreveport, LA), The American Heart Association (heart.org), or a charity of your choice.

Sarah Nell Wiggins Crane 07/17/1932 – 01/15/2024