Rilla Mae Crane

Rilla was born in Greensboro, North Carolina, to George and Rachel Allred. She attended school there and graduated from Lees-McRae College with an Associate Degree. Prior to her marriage, she worked at the State Department in Washington, D.C. She is survived by her husband, Denis, her children Christopher Crane (Ileana) and Rachel Wilson (Joseph), and three grandchildren, Jordan, Nathan and Bennett. She is also survived by brothers William, Larry, Charles, Cecil and Timothy Allred, and sisters Marie Council and Anita Smith. In later years, upon moving to California she started volunteering as a docent at South Coast Botanic Garden While there she became interested in floral design. She was a Master Flower Show Judge, Designer and Instructor. She participated in exhibitions and design competitions in California and throughout the East Coast, including the tri-annual WAFA World Flower Show in 2011. She was active in garden clubs holding leadership positions on the National, California and Metropolitan Washington Area Boards, serving as President of the latter one. She enjoyed spending time with her family, traveling, antique shopping, and reading. A funeral mass will be celebrated at All Hallows Catholic Church, La Jolla, on May 4th, 2021. Interment will be at Miramar National Cemetery.