Katharine "Kata" Crain's Obituary
Katharine Edwards Crain passed away peacefully in Dallas, Texas on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2015. She will always be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother and dear friend to all that knew her.
"Kata", as she was known by friends, was born on April 16, 1929, in El Paso, Texas to Mary and Eugene Edwards. She was a graduate of the Holton-Arms Prepatory School for Girls in Bethesda, Maryland, attended Sweet Briar College in Virginia and graduated from Bennington College in Vermont. After college she completed post-graduate work at The Katharine Gibbs School in Boston, Massachusetts. With her keen intelligence, quick wit and somewhat strong-willed behavior, she packed her belongings and moved to Houston, Texas to begin her career. While working in Houston, Kata soon met her future husband, Edward B. "E.B." Crain. They were married in 1956 and lived in Houston for three years before relocating to Longview, Texas, where they raised their children and lived for over forty years. She was a member of the Junior League of Houston and Longview, the Green Thumb Garden Club and Junior Literary Club. Kata loved being a mother to her son and daughter and, as they grew older, founded her own residential real estate firm. In recent conversations, she commented, “I may not have been the top seller of real estate, but I sure met a lot of new friends.” Throughout her life, she touched many people with her kindness and generosity.
Kata was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of forty-eight years, E.B. Crain, and her brother, Berry H. Edwards of El Paso, Texas. She is survived by her son, Edward B. Crain, Jr., and daughter-in-law, Catherine P. Crain of Houston; her daughter, Katharine Crain Spears, and son-in-law, Robert R. Spears, Jr. of Dallas; grandchildren, Edward B. Crain III, Davis P. Crain, Henry E. Crain, Robert R. Spears III and Ellen E. Spears.
The family would like to express their sincere gratitude and appreciation to her caregivers, Jecinta Mburu, Jane Gachira, Loretta Ouma and Nancy Nix for their endless care and unconditional love, as well as to all the staff and employees of the Villages of Lake Highlands for their many years of assistance and compassionate attention to Mrs. Crain.
A memorial service is to be conducted at noon on Friday, April 10, 2015 at Trinity Episcopal Church, 906 Padon Street in Longview, Texas, where the Rev. Kevin Wittmayer will officiate under direction of Rader Funeral Home.
In lieu of customary remembrances, contributions in her memory may be directed to the
Trinity School of Texas, 215 N. Teague Street, Longview, Texas 75601, Trinity Episcopal Church, or in Kata’s honor at the charity of your choice.
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