Brenda Elaine Chrane

Brenda Chrane, diagnosed with dementia, decided to stop asking herself “How am I feeling today?” (useless, lonely, afraid) and instead began asking “What am I grateful for today?” Her demeanor, memory, and cognitive processing instantly improved. As her disease progressed and her memories faded, friends marveled that she could still encourage others by quoting long passages of scripture she had memorized as a young teenager. Brenda, a long-time teacher, administrator, and minister in Abilene, died on December 6, 2020. Born to RJ and Margaret Henderson on November 16, 1940, while RJ was away serving in WWII, Brenda graduated from the inaugural class of Lubbock Christian College, married mathematician and tennis ace Dan Chrane, and raised a wonderful family.

After Dan’s death in 2001, Brenda focused on her ministry at the Highland Church and her cherished role as grandmom to Erica and Elaina McClure (daughters of Rachel Chrane and Marc McClure), Kosmo and Cash Chrane (sons of Kevin and Gina Chrane), and Kellen, Asher and Rowan Chrane (children of David and Donjalea Chrane).

Serving for 30 years as a pastoral care minister at Highland, Brenda coordinated funerals for the church and she planned her own.  The links for that service will be posted here when they become available.

Brenda is survived by her kids and grandkids mentioned above, her dynamic sister Cheryl Henderson Parker and husband Cecil, Dan's brothers Charlie, Kenneth and Bob and their wives Barbara, Betty and Deb, and fabulous nephews and nieces. If you'd like to make a gift in her honor please consider the great work at Christian Homes of Abilene.