Jewell Crane, 76, of Dawsonville (Lumpkin County), died Sept. 7, 2009.

Dillard Jewell Crane was born June 30, 1933. He lived the majority of his life in Lumpkin County on the farm in Mill Creek.

Everyone in the community fondly knew Jewell as "Pa Jewell."

He was frequently the first person newcomers would meet and he always had a story to tell about how Mill Creek had changed over the years.

He was also known for providing free tractor rides to the children in the neighborhood. 

His parents, Dillard and Esta Mae Crane; and sister, Mary Inez Shope, preceded him in death.

Survivors include his wife, Janie Letnette "Net" Crane of Dawsonville; daughters and sons-in-law, Brenda and Harry Cronan, Patricia "Trish" and Marty Howard, all of Dawsonville; grandsons, Colby Howard, Casey Cronan, Nathan Cronan; great-grandson, Ian Cronan; various other relatives also survive.

Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Sept. 10 at the Banister Funeral Home Chapel in Dahlonega with the Revs. Charles Grant and John Dowdy officiating.

Interment followed in the Mill Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.

Banister Funeral Home of Dahlonega was in charge of the arrangements.