Reta Faye Crank

Reta Faye Crank, 81, of Poplar Bluff, passed away Saturday, July 25, 2020, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau, Missouri after a battle with cancer.

Reta was born March 1, 1939, in Pocahontas, Arkansas to the late Herman and Mildred Stewart.  She was a member of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church. On June 1, 1957, Reta married the love of her life, Robert Crank. Reta was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and Nana. She was happiest when surrounded by her family and spent most of her life caring for her children and grandchildren.  She was actively involved with her girl's schools and spent several years in leadership for the Girl Scouts.   Reta also spent many years as a childcare provider with an in-home daycare.  She was an avid gardener but her biggest joy was cooking.  Reta was well known for Christmas cookie trays and kept her family supplied with more sweets than they should have had.  She spent many hours teaching those skills to her daughters and granddaughters. Anyone who knew Reta loved her. She was loving, giving, and selfless.

In addition to her husband, Reta is survived by her children, Theresa (Johnny) Davis, Cynthia (Jeff) Wacker and Bridgette Crank (Doug); grandchildren, Amy (Kenny) Rowland, Kristy Keirsey (Jason), Crystal (Steve) Merrell, Dustin Browning, and Shanna (Derek) Rahlmann; great-grandchildren, Jeffrey, Sophia, and River Rowland, Alexis Keirsey, Jared and Cadence Merrell, Mason Browning, Lyla and Landry Gilberto.

Reta was preceded in death by her parents, Herman and Mildred Stewart, a brother, Benny Stewart, Jr., and a grandson, Bobby Hayes.

A private graveside interment will be held at the Poplar Bluff City Cemetery with the Reverend Dennis Ward officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials are made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St Jude PL, Memphis, TN 38105-9959.