Annette Crager

Annette Crager, 88, lovingly referred to as “Nanny” by family and friends, passed peacefully in her Lakeland, Florida home on Monday evening, April 28. She was born in Montezuma, Georgia, in 1937 to Guy Walters and Viola Shaw and was the oldest of seven children. Nanny is survived by her daughter, Robin Thorpe (Chuck) of Lakeland; daughter, Joanna Furuglyas of Palmetto; and son, Jimmy Lowman (Don) of Greenville, South Carolina. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Michael G. Crager, and her son, Michael G. Crager Jr. Anyone who knew Nanny knew she could always be found in the kitchen, garden, or on a swing. She loved cooking meals and baking desserts for her family and friends. There wasn’t a holiday Nanny didn’t bake a cake for, and every Christmas Eve, you’d find her delivering her famous coffee cake around town to loved ones. For many years, she even overnighted it to family members who had moved away. Nanny loved a meticulously manicured lawn and garden, and the inside of her home was always full of blooms—African violets, peace lilies, orchids, and more. If one was good, ten were even better! If there were a baby nearby, Nanny would be holding, rocking, or feeding them. She even ran a daycare out of her home when her grandchildren were young. Family was everything to Nanny. She cherished her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and stayed involved in their lives until the end. She adored each of them: Heather Weldon (Mike, Darby, Finn) of Milton, Georgia, and Joshua Thorpe (Shana, Aidreana) of Lakeland, Florida. Nanny also had a deep love for four-legged friends. Her precious Buster was never far from her arms or lap, and she could always be found sneaking bites of food to any nearby puppy. She attended church services and the JOY and WIDOWS groups at Together Church for as long as possible. She loved trips to Disney and shows at the Lakeland Center and developed a passion for cruise travel with friends. The Celebration of Life service to honor Annette “Nanny” Crager will be held on Saturday, May 3, at Together Church, 6725 North Socrum Loop Road, Lakeland, Florida. Visitation will begin at 11:00 AM, followed by the funeral service at 12:00 PM. The burial will take place afterward at Bethel Baptist Church, 3125 West Socrum Loop Road, Lakeland, Florida.

Annette Crager

April 25, 1937 - April 28, 2025