Ann Ashburn Crainer

Ann Ashburn Crainer of Texas City, Texas passed away Wednesday March 6, 2024.  She left us far too soon at the age of 59 and we are heartbroken and absolutely lost in her absence.  She leaves behind many friends and family including her husband of 36 years, John Paul Crainer of Texas City, her son, John Thomas Crainer and his fiancée, Lucy Saucedo-Tapia of Austin, Texas, her father, James Thomas Johnson of Albuquerque, NM, her brother, Don Johnson and his wife, Cheri Johnson of Albuquerque, NM, and many friends, but especially Rhonda Baldry and her husband Mike.   Her mother, Vera Lowe Johnson left us in 2007.

Ann was born Ann Ashburn Johnson on March 10, 1964, in Hobbs, NM.  From Hobbs she was drug along through the oil patch to Midland, Texas and then Missouri City, Texas where she met Rhonda Baldry who quickly became her lifelong friend.  Ann graduated high school in Missouri City and then followed her brother, Don, to Texas Tech University where she received her degree in education.  She met the love of her life and best friend, John Paul, at Texas Tech.  They were immediately inseparable and quickly began to form a life together.

After graduating Tech, Miss Ann began her 30-plus year career teaching.  She started in Levelland, Texas and helped support John while he finished his degree in mechanical engineering.  She graduated early from Tech, so when she started teaching mid-year, many of her students thought they were bigger and badder than their new teacher.   She learned quickly to get tough and was rewarded immediately with respect from both her young students and her fellow Panhandle teachers.  

When John graduated, they married in Lubbock and then moved to Friendswood, Texas where Mrs. Ann taught math to many hundreds of students at Harby Jr. High School in Alvin, Texas and then to some of their children.  When their son, John Thomas, was born, life took on a grand new dimension.  A child born of a math teacher and an engineer never experienced a day without learning and experiencing new things.  Ann was able to return to teaching soon after John Thomas, JT, was up and running thanks to her loving in-laws, John Emmett and Alice Crainer of Alvin, Texas.  They cared for JT before and after school for many years.

In Friendswood, Ann was active in her son’s activities and volunteered in many ways, especially supporting the Friendswood High School Band where JT was a member.  Ann and John Paul joined the Harbor Church where they became active members and Ann volunteered in the day care for many years.   She never gave up teaching our young people and loved them all dearly.

When Ann and John Paul moved to Texas City, they were grateful to find Mem1 Church where they quickly became supporting and active members.  They immediately met fellow members who quickly became good friends.  Ann and John Paul especially enjoyed the trivia nights and puzzle nights hosted at the church.  Throughout her life Ann was a voracious reader.  She loved cooking and trying new recipes and all the latest kitchen gadgets.  She enjoyed crafting, museums, shopping, and visiting Texas Tech to see her son and take in a football game.

Ann was delighted when her son JT found the love of his life at Texas Tech, Lucy Saucedo-Tapia.  Ann and Lucy bonded quickly, and Ann could hardly wait until they married this May and began their life together.

Ann’s life as a wife, mother, sister, daughter, and friend touched and guided all of us.  Her work as a teacher and in childcare touched and guided another generation.  She helped all of us and we will all miss her always.

A memorial service will be held Saturday March 30 at 11:00 am at Mem1 Church at 2021 29^th Street North in Texas City.  Flowers are welcome for the service or donations may be made to the American Cancer Society in Ann’s honor.