Sarah Catherine Crane
Sarah Catherine Crane, 84, of Ooltewah, Tennessee, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 24, 2025, at her residence. She was surrounded by her loved ones. As the family said their goodbyes, Catherine saw the face of her Heavenly Father.
She was the youngest child of the late Willie and Josephine Gray. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bruce Crane, her twin brother, Johnny Gray, brothers, Billy, Bobby and Jimmy Gray, and sisters, Blanche Rockwood Britton and Grace Gray.
She was a graduate of Kirkman Technical High School. Catherine’s first job as a teenager was working as a carhop for Oscar’s. She was one of the first switchboard operators for the City of Chattanooga. She later moved from that position into working in the police department office. She retired from the city working as an assistant financial officer. She began working under Mayor Olgiati and ended her career working for Mayor Roberts.
She was a member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church where she served as a former children’s Sunday school teacher and sang in the choir.
Survivors include her daughter, Cheryl “Sherri” Lynn Crane, granddaughter, Ashley Nicole Ruth Barber (Chris Markham), sister, JoAnn Walden, all of Ooltewah, TN, and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 27, in the Valley View Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home with Rev. Travis Shipley officiating. Interment will be in Silverdale Cemetery with Chris Markham, Josh Hale, Keith Lane, Perry Walden, Nathan Hale, Marty Hale and Dennis Rockwood serving as pallbearers.
The family will receive friends from 4–8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 26, at the funeral home.
The family would like to thank Hospice of Chattanooga for the loving care that Catherine received.
Please share your thoughts and memories online at www.ChattanoogaValleyViewChapel.com
Arrangements are by Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist, Valley View Chapel, 7414 Old Lee Highway, Chattanooga, Tn.