Sarah Ann Wilburn Cruse, 80, Orange

Sarah Ann Wilburn Cruse was born on February 10, 1943, in Orange, Texas. She passed away on October 24, 2023. She lost her battle with cancer, but she finished her race.

She lived in Honey Island with her parents before moving to Orange, where she graduated from Little Cypress High School. Sarah had numerous jobs, but one of her favorites was preparing students to get their GED, while working at West Orange-Cove CISD.

She is preceded in death by her parents Hugh Wilburn and Maudlee Wilburn, sister Evone Wilburn, brother JB Wilburn and wife Evonne, son Dustin Ray Cruse and grandson Van Samuel Cruse. Dan and Sarah married in 1993 and blended their two families.

Sarah survived by her loving husband, Dana Cruse; children Hope Lummus and husband, Jeff; Winn Enloe; Damon Cruse and wife Amy; Davin Cruse and wife, Jennifer; eight grandchildren, but better known to her as grandbrats; Dusti Boykin and husband Brenner, Kacie Wright and husband Cody, Shellie Radley and husband Koby; Emmi Michael and husband Kent, Ava Cruse, Kellan Cruse, Ellie Cruse and Dustin Cruse; she has six great-grandchildren, Rody, Rye, Jake, Lettie, Kolly and Price Ann; brother-in-law Chuck Cruse and wife Karen, and a host of friends that are considered family.

Sarah enjoyed spending time at their place at the beach where she taught all the grandkids how to crab and eat her favorite dessert, frozen ding dongs. She loved feeding the birds in her back yard and could identify most of them. She enjoyed gardening, making jelly, and canning vegetables. Sarah was happy when she was cooking her famous gumbo and tea-cakes for the family, especially during the holidays. She enjoyed the annual back yard fish fries for the church choir members. Sarah loved traveling to many places with her husband, and many trips were made to her in-laws in Grayson, Louisiana.

Sarah would take any opportunity to fish, whether it was Chuck’s pond or Cow Creek. She was ready for anytime to spend with her family, attending ballgames, eating out, going to Vegas for a Rodeo, or even a bachelorette trip. She was dearly loved by her husband of 30 years, who treated her like a queen, her Dana Ray!

But, most of all, Sarah loved her Lord and Savior and enjoyed worshipping with her friends at Trinity Baptist Church. She had a constant relationship with Jesus and it poured out to those around her.

Memorial services will be held Friday, October 27, 2023, with visitation at 10:00 a.m. and service following at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Baptist Church in Orange, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to American Cancer Society at https://donate.cancer.org/, or to Trinity Baptist Church at 1819 N. 16th St., Orange, Texas, 77630.