Brenda Gail Cronan

Brenda Gail Crane Cronan died on December 16, 2020. Born to Jewell and Janie “Nett” Crane, on April 6, 1955, in a county of gold, she was a precious diamond to many. She married Harry Cronan, the love of her life in 1973, shortly after they graduated from Lumpkin County High School. In 1982, Brenda graduated from North Georgia College (now University of North Georgia) with a BS degree in nursing. She began her career at the then St. Joseph’s hospital in Dahlonega and was the nurse at the Pine Tree plant (Mohawk Industries). She finished her career at Lumpkin County Schools where she found her true calling, working tirelessly to improve the lives of Lumpkin County children and families. She was first a school nurse, then an advocate with Lumpkin County Family Connection, eventually rising to director. In 2014, she took early retirement for medical reasons. One of her proudest and greatest accomplishments as Director of LCFC was bringing the Steward of Children “Darkness to Light” program to Lumpkin County; a training program for adults to recognize and prevent child sexual abuse. Lumpkin was the first of 159 counties in Georgia to embrace the program and through the years numerous adults working with children have completed the program. Brenda was also involved in many civic and non-profit groups. She was chair of Leadership Lumpkin in 2008 through the chamber of commerce. She served on the board of United Way and coordinated with numerous charities to best meet the needs of Lumpkin’s citizens. She was predeceased by her husband Harry, father Jewell Crane, and nephew Cody Howard. Survivors include sons, Casey (Jenny) and Nathan Cronan; grandsons and the lights of her life, Ian and Kalvin Cronan; mother Janie “Nett” Crane; sister Trisha Howard; mother-in-law, Evelyn Cronan; sister-in-law Ann Cronan Herring; brothers-in-law Dr. James (Jean) Cronan and Joe (Lori) Cronan; and special nieces Anna and Kelly Cronan who were like grandchildren to her, many other nieces and nephews, cousins, and special friends. Brenda had a bubbly personality and never met a stranger. The simple things made her happy: a shell with a little different color or shape; a piece of broken pottery found by her grandsons; the way the flowers looked on a particular day; or the way the fire looked on the creek bank. Children and these things were what mattered most to her. Brenda honored her Daddy’s name, “Jewel”. A celebration of Brenda Cronan’s life will be held in the spring.