NEWPORT NEWS -  Louise Price Crank, 96, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her family on November 25, 2017, four days short of her 97th birthday.

She was born on November 29, 1920 in Halifax County, North Carolina and was the youngest of four children.

Louise was predeceased by her parents, Etta Carroll and Wade Hampton Price, her husband, James F. Crank, her brother, William Lindsay Price, her sisters, Nan Poplin and Margaret Brinson, her beloved niece, Mary Ellen Millikin, and two nephews, Wade Hampton Price II and Samuel Brinson.

Louise had a small-town, southern upbringing. Family was the center of her life. She moved to the 'big city' of Colonial Heights, Virginia in the 1940s to work for the C&P Telephone Company as a telephone operator. There she married and had two children before returning to Scotland Neck, NC to be near her family. Her children were raised much as their mother had been. She instilled a love of family, a strong work ethic, and the importance of education in each of them.

She was a disciplinarian, a devout Christian, and a woman of unparalleled character. She never wavered from her beliefs and moral values which were indelibly ingrained in her children. Louise was known by all for her integrity, faithfulness to family, and uncompromising standards. She was, indeed, a 'class act' and 'a lady.'

In 1956, Louise, her two children, and her mother moved to Newport News to resume her work with C&P (now Verizon). There, she won many awards for perfect attendance and outstanding customer service. She retired in 1982 and remained an active member of the telephone Pioneers until her health declined.

Louise has been an active member of Calvary Baptist Church in Newport News since 1956. She was a member of the Truthseekers and Fidelis Sunday School classes as well as the WMU, Forever Young Choir, and the Lunch Bunch.

Left to cherish her memory are her two children and their spouses, Jimmy and Vicki Crank and Becky and Pete Tench. She has four grandchildren: Christopher Crank, Jennifer Crank Chandler, Emily Tench Bowman (and husband, Andy), and Patrick Tench (and wife, Stephanie). She has six great-grandchildren: Jacob and Matthew Chandler, Connor Maryellen and Jack Crank, Luke and Bennette Bowman.

She is also survived by three nieces: Merle Roberts, Jackie Gray, and Ellen McDade. Louise has many loving and loyal friends whose prayers and cards are greatly appreciated.

The family wishes to thank Kim and Marshall Cross and Polly and Malcolm Davis for their unwavering faithfulness, friendship, and devotion during these past two difficult years. A special thank you to her friend and nurse, Sandi O'Brien, and her caregiver, Mitchella Paul. We are grateful to the entire staff of Personal Touch and particularly Bonnie Madre who volunteered her time every Tuesday.

A family visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 29, 2017, her 97th birthday, at Peninsula Funeral Home from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. A private burial will be conducted at a later date in Scotland Neck, NC.

Memorial donations may be made to Calvary Baptist Church, 4700 Huntington Avenue, Newport News, 23607. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.

Published in Daily Press on November 27, 2017.   
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November 27, 2017  

Mrs. Crank, as she always will be remembered, will always exemplify a true "Lady". Always prim and proper and a warm, courteous hostess even to the end. As I sat with her to give her caregiving, she was concerned that I had water, and that the house was a comfortable temperature. Caring for me when it was I who was to care for her.

She was always a mother to Jimmy and Becky. Even as he matured to an older gentleman, Jimmy loved and cared for his mother till the very end. No better son could she have had. Vicki loved her and showed her the utmost respect, calling her Mrs. Crank even after 50+ yrs. of marriage. Becky, the nurse and loving daughter, always seeing that Mama had the best care around the clock and that being herself most of the time. I am sure she felt and knew you and Jimmy were there.

Now she joins God's heavenly choir and can once again be among her siblings and be pain free. She lived life full circle. You could want no more. Rest in peace, Mrs. Crank

~ Susan Simons, Hampton, Virginia

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November 27, 2017

Becky and family, please know our thoughts and prayers are with you. Your mother was a special person who will be greatly missed. My mother thought the world of her. God bless you during this difficult time.

~ Luanne and Charlie White
 

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November 27, 2017

Becky, so sorry about your mother's passing. It sounds like she had quite a life. I know how proud you must be of her. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

~ Lynn Brothers, Newport News, Virginia
 

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November 28, 2017

Becky and Jimmy, I am so very sorry to hear of your mother's passing. She was a beautiful lady, and I know you will miss her greatly. Her obituary described her perfectly. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

~ Sybil Braddy, Enfield, North Carolina

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November 28, 2017 

Becky, Pete, Emily, Patrick and families,
So very sorry for the loss of your mom. I don't think I ever had the pleasure of meeting her, but I can tell she was highly thought of. You all will be in my thoughts and prayers! You have my deepest condolences!

~ Carol Reynolds, Seaford, Virginia

 

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November 28, 2017

Jimmy and Becky, Sorry to hear of your mother's passing. Please accept our condolences.

~ Linda and Don Grantham, Newport News, Virginia

 

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November 29, 2017

Jimmy, I just wanted to let you know I am thinking about you and your family during this time. Prayers for all of you. Love you all!

~ Tricia Bowen, Whiteville, North Carolina

 

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December 01, 2017

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