Dorothy Gibson "Dot" Crane

Surrounded by much love and with much peace and serenity, Dorothy Gibson “Dot” Crane transitioned into glory on April 30, 2021, just 18 days shy of her 97th birthday. She was the oldest child of John and Buelah Browder Gibson and the beloved wife of W. B. Crane, Jr. who predeceased her. She also was predeceased by brothers Bill, Leroy, and Charles, and her infant sister Peggy. She is survived by her son Donald Crane (Virginia) and daughter Pixie Fleshood (Paul). Also surviving are her grandchildren: Jason Crane (and his wife Karen and children Davis and Eloise), Adam Crane (and his wife Charlotte and children Steed and Blair), Eric Fleshood (and his wife Colleen and children Shelby, Sydney, Dalton, Avery, and Aiden), and Edie Fleshood Mann (and her children Chloe and Tyson). Also surviving are her sisters Mattie Lewis and Edna Whitby (Ken) and her brother Ronnie (Lea). She is being mourned by many nieces and nephews who all claimed her as their second mother. At the tender age of 17, Dot married W. B. and they loved and cared for each other for 73 years. Just 3 days after their wedding, he left to serve in the Pacific theater during World War II. She waited faithfully for him to return and worked at Richmond Holding and Reconsignment in Richmond VA. W. B.’s war-time love letters to her were carefully encoded to let her know his secret and ever-changing battle locations. After the war, they settled on her family’s farm in Brunswick County where they happily lived until his death in 2014 and her relocation to the Bloom Center in 2018. Dot loved to dance and was known to sway to music she heard in public places. Once when she started dancing at a grandson’s ballgame, he asked “Does Bomma dance everywhere she goes?” The answer was yes and always without any hesitation or embarrassment. Her dry wit was always handy and she used it often to the amusement of family and friends. A granddaughter commented that “pound for pound, Grandma is the wittiest person I have ever known.” She was an excellent cook, specializing in fried chicken and her favorite son-in-law’s favorite dessert…brownies. Dot, herself, preferred her favorite daughter-in-law’s brownie recipe. Grandchildren got a dollar for everything they did of note and everything they did was notable. She was a fixture at the Powell Insurance Agency for more than 40 years where she was their bookkeeper and front desk clerk until her retirement at age 80, retiring then only because she needed to be at home to care for W.B. It seemed she knew every customer personally and always talked to them all like good friends. Dot was a lifetime member of Edgerton United Methodist Church where she taught the Adult Sunday School class for 30 years. She studied her Bible regularly, loved the preaching of Charles Stanley, and she modeled a Christian’s peaceful, faithful, loving and forgiving life. She was named after the silent movie star, Dorothy Dalton. Though she never had fame or fortune, Dot’s servant heart and sociability made her glow. She had a million-dollar smile. She was unpretentious, sweet-natured, contented, and laughed easily. She leaves a legacy of love and devotion to God, to her family, and to her community. Our family thanks the Bloom Assisted Living Center for the loving care and attention given to Dot for the last 3 years. We are very grateful. A visitation is planned for 1PM on Wednesday, May 5, 2021 at the Williams Funeral Home in Lawrenceville VA. Funeral services will begin at 2PM with burial following in the Edgerton United Methodist Church Cemetery. Family is asked to gather at the funeral home just prior to visitation. Please wear masks and observe social distancing as required by Covid-19 mandates. Flowers are welcomed and memorial gifts to the Edgerton United Methodist church cemetery also are appreciated. Condolences may be expressed at www.williamsfuneralhomeva.com.