Dr. Louise Crane Holcomb

Dr. Louise Crane Holcomb, 92, of Gainesville, Georgia passed away on June 17, 2021.   Louise was the daughter of the late Ernest and Lois Crane of Cleveland, Georgia and was preceded in death by her husband, Jack.  She lived through the depression years and was a faithful churchgoer for life. At 10 years old, she was the only one in her congregation who could read music so she began to play piano at her church.  She met Jack Holcomb in 1944 through her uncle, Calvin Crane and Jack's sister, Bernice Holcomb. When “her handsome sailor came marching home” from WWII, they married in a double wedding with Calvin and Bernice on May 4, 1946. Louise and Jack were married for 64 years when Jack passed away in 2010.   

In 1946, Truett-McConnell College was founded in Cleveland, and Louise was the first employee.  She and Jack worked and studied and held many titles at Truett-McConnell over the years including teacher, bookkeeper, coach, and sometimes ‘second parents’. They dedicated their lives to their students and to education all the while continuing to educate and achieve themselves.  Her experience in bookkeeping gave Louise a love for Accounting and she went on to obtain  Masters, Specialist, and Doctorate Degrees in Business Education from the University of Georgia  becoming “Dr. Holcomb” as most students knew her. Truett-McConnell dedicated the new Education Building to Louise and Jack naming it the “Jack and Louise Holcomb Education Center” in 2007. 

            Leaving Truett-McConnell after 20 years, Louise and Jack moved to Gainesville where she went to work at Gainesville Junior College eventually becoming Chairman of the Business Division.  She retired in 1997 with 51 years of educational service. Dr. Holcomb was responsible for starting many successful business and educational programs and received numerous awards for her teaching and service.

            Louise is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Jackie and Dana King, Grandchildren: James and Elizabeth Coleman, Elizabeth Trufant, and Michelle Bouchell, Great grandchildren: Alexandra Coleman, Anderson Kate Coleman, and Jackson Trufant.   When Louise was not doting on her grandchildren, she enjoyed cross-stitching, her puppy, Dottie and her church, Lakewood Baptist, where she was very active.

The family will receive visitors on Monday, June 21, 2021 at Memorial Park North, 980 Riverside Drive in Gainesville from 12:00 – 2:00 pm.   There will be a private graveside service for family following the visitation at Memorial Park Cemetery in Gainesville. Dr. Tyler Smiley and Dr. Tom Smiley will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be made to Truett-McConnell College in Cleveland, Georgia 100 Alumni Drive Cleveland, Georgia, 30528 or to Lakewood Baptist Church 2235 Thompson Bridge Road Gainesville, GA 30501.

Memorial Park Funeral Home North Riverside Chapel, 989 Riverside Dr. is in charge of arrangements.

Send online condolences to www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com.