Ardis Ruth Powers Crane, a loving mother and wife, died at home in Chattanooga, TN on January 22, 2013 after a 25 year battle with a number of debilitating health issues. Mrs. Crane’s strength, sense of humor, and positive outlook on life even in the face of increasing adversity were truly an inspiration to all who knew her. She was born and raised in Selma, AL. She graduated from A.G. Parrish High School where she was active in cheerleading and many other activities. As a senior she was selected Most Popular and Best All Round by her classmates. Following high school she attended the University of Montevallo where she received a degree in education. After college she married her childhood sweetheart, embarked on a life as an Air Force officer’s wife, and started a family. She lived in Washington, Texas, Mississippi, Ohio, and Tennessee before returning home to Selma several years ago. She recently moved to Chattanooga, TN to live with her daughter’s family. Mrs. Crane enjoyed attending all her children’s activities, raising German shepherd dogs, and always being around people. She will be greatly missed, but never forgotten.

Mrs. Crane was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years Benjamin D. Crane of Selma, AL, her parents, Ernest and Lois Powers of Selma, AL, and a niece, Denise Hughes Kirkland of Decatur, AL. She is survived by a daughter, Casey Carr of Chattanooga, TN; a son, Patrick Crane and his wife, Cecilia, of Stillwater, OK; a sister, Miriam Powers Hughes and her husband, Webb Hughes of Selma, AL; two granddaughters, Nikki Carr of Chattanooga, and Kelly Crane of Verona, WI; three grandsons, Chris Carr of Chattanooga, Matthew Carr and his wife, Hannah, of Chattanooga, and Davis Crane of Stillwater, OK; two great granddaughters, Hannah Mathews of Chattanooga and Taylor Trogdon of Chattanooga; one niece, Leah Kinniburgh and her husband, Jim, of Daphne, AL; a grand nephew, Tyler Robbins of Boca Raton, FL; and a grand niece, Avery Robbins of Mobile, AL. Graveside services will be at 11am on Saturday, January 26 at New Live Oak Cemetery with Rev. Steven Kopp officiating and Lawrence Brown-Service Funeral Home directing. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any memorials be made to Memorial United Methodist Church.

Please visit http://www.lawrencebrownservice.com to make online condolences to the family.