Willie Crain

Willie Elizabeth O'Shields Crain, 88, peacefully passed away Saturday, August 29, 2009 at the home she built overlooking the Shoals of the North Tyger River and Anderson Grits Mill. With her was her son Stephen, her full time caregiver for seven years, and members of her Southern Care Hospice team. Born December 2, 1920 at home on the Foothills of Hogback Mountain, outside of Landrum, SC, she was a daughter of the late Mr. Young R. Dill O'Shields, Jr. and Mrs. Nancy Adeline Page Settle O'Shields. Mrs. Crain was the last remaining survivor of her immediate family. She was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters, Lena Mae (died at age 1), Louise Florence O'Sullivan (husband, William "Bill" O'Sullivan from Ireland), Virginia Dorie Wilson (husband, Leroy Wilson); her brothers, Theodore Bryan O'Shields (body is at rest in the North Sea, killed in action during World War II), Paul Archie O'Shields (wife, Jewel Crain O'Shields, a sister of deceased husband, Carl Crain), John Young O'Shields, Reverend Stroud David O'Shields (wife Vivian Poole O'Shields). Mrs. Crain also was preceded in death by her husband, Carl Pinkney Crain, who drowned in 1977 and her oldest son, Carl David Crain, who passed away October of 2006. She is survived by her son, Stephen Crain, of the home who relocated from Savannah, Georgia to care for his late brother. For the past seven years he has taken care of his mother on a full time basis. Also surviving is Mrs. Anne Marie Dargan, a true devoted friend of the heart who she loved very much; her grandchildren, Dr. Andrew Crain (Holly) of Maryville, Tennessee and their children Jared, Ashlyn and Laural, Lisa Crain Munoz (Gerrick) of Stafford, Virginia and their children Joshua and Daniel, Sally Hatchett Crain, her daughter-in-law whom she loved very much. She was blessed with many nieces and nephews; Larry (Doris) Wilson, Lance (Linda) Wilson, Ann Wilson Brock (Danny), Kay Wilson Thomas, Dora O'Sullivan Ladd (George), Mary O'Sullivan Brown (Daniel), Elaine O'Shields Albertson, Loretta O'Shields Nodine (deceased), David Young O'Shields, Dale O'Shields Johnson, Timothy Stroud O'Shields, Joseph Arnold O'Shields (Ellen), Paul Neil O'Shields, Donald Crain O'Shields and Frances Yvonne O'Shields McKinna. Graduating from Landrum High School she was a graduate of North Greenville Junior College in 1940. In 1943 she graduated, with honors, from Coker College in Hartsville, SC with a degree in History and Religion. Her professors called her Billie-Willie. In the 1970's she completed her Masters Degree in History from Converse College. Mrs. Crain was a teacher for 35 years. She began teaching at Jordan High School in Greenville County, her husband to be's Alma Mater. During this time she met and married Carl Pinkney Crain. Moving to Spartanburg, they soon settled and she taught at the old Westview Elementary School in District 6. Most of her teaching career was dedicated to the children in the 5th grade at Arcadia Elementary School. She retired from Fairforest Middle School in 1988. While teaching at Westview she accepted the responsibility of being in charge of the 4-H organization in the Upper area of SC. While in that capacity she wrote the first curriculum for the 4-H organization. Being a faithful and dedicated Christian, she daily studied her Bible and multiple references in her library of books. She was a member of Fairforest Baptist Church and taught Sunday School for over 33 years. Her class is the Willie Crain Sunday School Class. Her dedication was expressed by her involvement in the church choir, WMU, Lottie Moon, Home Mission Board, Young At Heart and Church Search Committees. Besides her church responsibilities she served as President for two terms for the Spartanburg Retired Teachers Association and President of the J.D. Edwards Chapter of United Daughters of the Confederacy. Her hobbies included being an avid reader of mysteries, extensive travel and Professional and Civic Organization with her friends; especially the fearless trio of herself, Lillie Mae Dorman and Pearl Porter. Visitation will be 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Monday, August 31, 2009 at Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 1, 2009, at Fairforest Baptist Church conducted by the Rev. Joe Dempsey and Chaplain Sandra Smith. Burial will be in the Fairforest Baptist Church Cemetary. Pallbearers will be Mark Wilson, Drew Crain, Lance and Larry Wilson, John Brock and Don O'Shields. Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Fairforest Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 338, Fairforest, SC 29336. Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Willie Elizabeth O'Shields Crain please visit our Sympathy Store.