Carol Crane Obituary

Carol Pender Crane, lovingly known as Randi, went home to glory to be with God on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at 5:35 am. Carol was born August 5, 1961, in Norfolk, VA, to Lessie Pender and James Durham. Randi graduated from Maury High School in 1980.
Randi had a passion for singing and dancing since she was a young child. She sang in musical groups with friends and attended All City Chorus with the school choir. She was a majorette dancer and was classically trained in ballet, tap, and jazz from the age of 5-18.
Randi and Henry Crane married the day before she graduated from high school, after having met four months prior. They had a successful marriage of 45 years, during which they raised a happy family and created a legacy.
Randi attended and completed a secretarial program at Kee Business College and attended Norfolk State University. Out of school, she pursued a career as a secretary. Later, she transitioned into hospitality management. Carol retired as a Manager of Soaps and Suds on Colley Ave.
Carol was a loving and phenomenal woman. She was a superb wife, mother, and grandmother. She cherished spending time with her family and gave her all to them. She had a strong faith in God, Jesus Christ, and spread love everywhere she went. She had a smile and laughter that lit up any room. Carol was loved by many and always had a caring, tender word of encouragement.
Randi always had a heart for children and young people. She started out as a kid babysitting and later evolved into teaching. As a young adult, she taught children in school with special needs and later taught so many children through church as a Sunday School teacher, Vacation Bible School teacher, the nursery, and many other avenues.
Carol has been a faithful servant of God. She was an integral member of Norfolk United Methodist Church for 14 years, where she worked as a secretary and served in several ministries such as the choir, food ministry, and tutored many children through the after school program.
She and her husband, Henry, were active members in their community, serving on the Civic League, going to city council meetings, protesting injustices, and they counseled several young people in the neighborhood, helping them turn their lives around from a life in the streets and to give their lives to God. She later joined and became an esteemed member of First Baptist Church of Lambert's Point, where she served fervently for 22 years until she transitioned home. Carol served on several ministries as well. She continued to use her musical and culinary gifts in the choir and food ministry. She continued with acts of charity through feeding the homeless as one of the team leads with the food ministry. She again was a Sunday School teacher, nursery teacher, and ran the before and after school program. She also continued her education through First Baptist Church of Lambert's Point and graduated with a certificate in Religious Services from Virginia Union. She also used her heart to help people and led the Overcomers ministry.
Carol was predeceased by her sister Lessie Shamblee and brother, Michael Pender. Carol leaves to cherish her memory, her husband Henry L. Crane, Sr.; daughter, La Carol C. Polk (Michael); son, Henry L. Crane, Jr.; granddaughters, Nailah Polk, Layla Polk, and MaKynzie Crane; grandsons, Henry "Miles" Crane, Elijah Polk, and Isiah Polk; soon to be great granddaughter Naiayla Wilson; sisters Gertude Harris; Joyce Jeffries; Barbara Keyes, Mildred Sturdivant; sister in law Eliza "Sally" Douglas (Paul); and a host of neices, nephews, cousins, friends, and loved ones.
Viewing:
Friday, August 1, 2025
2:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Metropolitan Funeral Service
7246 Granby Street
Norfolk, VA
Celebration of Life:
Saturday, August 2, 2025
11:00 AM
First Baptist Lamberts Point
1268 W. 38th Street
Norfolk, VA
Laid to Rest:
Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery
5310 Milners Road
Suffolk, VA