Esther Maree Lofton Crandall

Esther Maree Lofton Crandall, 66, wife of Martin Stuart Crandall, entered into eternal rest Friday, March 16, 2012, at her home after an extended illness. The relatives and friends of Mr. and Mrs. Martin Crandall are invited to attend her funeral service in Martin Luther Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1605 Harbor View Road, Monday, March 19, 2012 at 11 a.m. Interment, Holy Cross Cemetery. Friends may call at J. HENRY STUHR, INC., DOWNTOWN CHAPEL, 232 Calhoun Street, on Sunday, between 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Esther was born on Palm Sunday, March 25, 1945, in Charleston, the daughter of Elizabeth Barnett Lofton and Joseph Edward Lofton.

A 1963 graduate of James Island High School, she was employed at the Charleston Naval Shipyard for 31 years and Southern Division, Naval Facilities Engineering Command for five years, retiring as a Program Analyst on August 1, 2000. She received the Department of the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award from both the Shipyard and Southern Division.

She was a member of Beta Sigma Phi since 1964, a member and former president of the Federal Managers Association, a member of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association Chapter 72 and former State Federation president and secretary. She received the Judy Kemp Outstanding Service Award for NARFE in 2011, and also received a Citation for Distinguished Service from NARFE in 2008.

She was a member of St. Timothy Lutheran Church where she served on the Altar Guild and as a communion assistant, lay reader and greeter.

Survivors, in addition to her husband, include her mother, Elizabeth B. Lofton of Charleston SC; a son, John E. Moon III and his wife, Christy Futrell Moon; grandchildren, Emily Florence Moon and Jordan Maree Moon all of Moncks Corner, SC; a step-daughter, Kimberly S. Crandall of Los Angeles CA; chosen daughter, Cynthia W. Watson and her husband, Gale, and their children Brittney Flores and her husband, Fernando, and Paige Watson all of Goose Creek, SC; two sisters, Barbara Lofton McCormick and her husband, Harvey of Charleston SC and Sally Lofton Simkins and her husband, Bryan of Augusta GA; and a large extended loving family. She is preceded by her father, J. Edward Lofton.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Timothy Lutheran Church Youth Ministry and Building Fund, 200 S. Goose Creek Boulevard, Goose Creek, SC 29445.