Kathleen "Kathy" Crain

          Graveside services for Kathleen “Kathy” Crain, 97, of Lufkin, will be held Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Zavalla Cemetery in Zavalla, Texas, with Pastor Bob Klund officiating.

          Mrs. Crain was born on July 24, 1928, in East Grinstead, East Sussex, England, to Sydney Robert Langridge and Ethel Mary (Stockley) Langridge, and died on Saturday, December 6, 2025, in Lufkin, Texas.

          Mrs. Crain’s loving family will host a community visitation from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at Shafer Funeral Home in Lufkin, Texas.

          Mrs. Crain moved to the United States in 1964 to begin a new life. She came to America with one wicker basket and a million dreams.

          She met and married the most Texan man she could find, Milburn “Red” Crain of Zavalla, Texas. When Mr. Crain, then mayor of Zavalla, unexpectedly passed, Mrs. Crain had a choice to make. She could go back to England as a widow or stick around Texas to be a stepmother to Mr. Crain’s four children who were young adults at the time.

          She didn’t make a choice. The choice made her. She became a dual citizen, part British, part American. She devoted herself fully to her forever American family and her Angelina County community. She traveled annually to visit her loving British family, who often visited her in Lufkin, as well. “I’m so blessed I have family on both sides of the pond,” Mrs. Crain often bragged.

          Mrs. Crain was an accomplished hospitality professional, managing the Best Western and Holiday Inn in Lufkin until her retirement. She also owned a successful catering company and worked for the Social Security Administration during her partial retirement. She was a trusted pet sitter for local Angelina County families up until she was 95 years old. Her clients often called her “Dr. Doolittle” and the “Pet Whisperer.” 

          She believed in giving back more than she took in and was a beacon for good in her community. She was a volunteer at Memorial Medical Center, having earned recognition on multiple occasions for 100 hours of service. Mrs. Crain was an English tutor at the Adult Learning Center and served as vice president of the Lufkin Hotel and Motel Association. She was a member of the Lufkin Board of Development, American Cancer Society, Lufkin Evening Lion’s Club, Lufkin Altrusa Club, Huntington Garden Club and Angelina Senior Citizen’s Center. Mrs. Crain also served as a Trailblazer with the Angelina County Chamber of Commerce. 

          Mrs. Crain was of Methodist faith, though she simply identified as Christian. She loved God and believed that obeying Him meant serving others as Christ served all of humanity. She left a remarkable legacy of civil service and dedication to her family both in England and United States. 

          She is survived by her brother, David Langridge of the United Kingdom; son, Douglas (Heide) Crain of Des Moine, Iowa; son, Gary Crain of Lufkin, Texas; daughter, Jenny (Wendell) Davis of Apple Springs, Texas; daughter, Norma (Mark) Roth of Mena, Arkansas; bonus son, Ronnie Ezell of Lufkin, Texas;  bonus daughter, Pam Strickland of Ft. Smith, Arkansas; niece, Katie (Michael) Buckman of the United Kingdom; nephew, Kevin Langridge of United Kingdom; nephew, David Moore of the United Kingdom; nephew, Kenneth Moore of the United Kingdom; among many other loved ones near and far. Mrs. Crain also has 12 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren who all know, that in this life, they were loved by an extraordinary woman.

          Mrs. Crain is proceeded in death by her parents; brother, Michael Langridge of the United Kingdom; brother, Peter Langridge of the United Kingdom; sister, Jean Moore of the United Kingdom; husband, Milburn “Red” Crain of Zavalla, Texas; and grandson, Steven Crain of Des Moine, Iowa.       

          In lieu of flowers, Mrs. Crain’s family humbly requests the community donate pet food to local animal shelters in her honor. 

          Shafer Funeral Home, Lufkin directors.