KILMARNOCK—Betty Ward Kay-Crandall, 97, daughter of Ferd I. Ward and Elsie Packett Ward, died on April 2, 2026. Betty was born June 10, 1928, in Kilmarnock and lived there most of her life.
Betty retired from Virginia Power, now Dominion Energy, with 42 years of service. She was organist at Kilmarnock United Methodist Church for 18 years, organist at Currie Funeral Home for many years and organist at Grace Episcopal Church and Christ Church for several years. Following playing at Kilmarnock United Methodist Church, she substituted for many churches in the area. Her last full-time playing was at Claybrook Baptist Church in Weems.
Her love of music kept her involved in many musical activities. She was one of the original members of the “Country Cousins” weekly radio program on WNNT in Warsaw and “Rhythm and Rhyme” on WKWI in Kilmarnock. She gave piano, organ and accordion lessons at the Center for Arts and also at home.
Betsy, as she was known to the family, was preceded in death by her first husband, John B. Kay; her second husband, David A. Crandall; and stepdaughter, Dania C. Wilmore.
She is survived by her stepson, Keith Crandall and his wife Betty; step-son-in-law, Ronald Wilmore; step-grandchildren Ashley Wilmore, Brian Wilmore (Charlotte), Stacey W. Eggers (Dana), Dustin “Dusty” Crandall (Amanda); many step-great-grandchildren; and a special friend, Donna Dull.
Family received friends from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 7, at Currie Funeral Home in Kilmarnock. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 8. Interment followed the service at Morattico Baptist Church Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Morattico Baptist Church Cemetery Fund.
