Patricia Ann Best Crunk
July 13th, 1932 – April 20th, 2026
Patricia Ann Best Crunk, age 93, passed away at her home in Calera, AL on the evening of Monday, April 20th, 2026. She was born on July 13th, 1932, in Fairfield Highlands, AL to her mother, Carmen Ercell Smitherman Best, and father, Jewell Howard Heflin Best, both have preceded her in passing. She is also preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Frank Cotton Crunk, Jr.; brothers, J.D. “Sonny” Best (Martha) and Robert Best (Linda); and sister, Debbie Best.
She is survived by her brother, Larry Best (Sue); children, D. Michael Crunk (Sherry), Lei Rushing (Roger), Trisha Partridge (Rick), Kimberly Abernathy (Keith), and Danielle Parker (Jason); grandchildren, Tammy O’Shields (Daniel), Ryne Rushing, Reece Rushing, Mandy Wingo (Dylan), Christopher Crunk, Bella Parker, Marley Parker, and Memphis Parker; great grandchildren, Alexis Crunk, Declyn Wingo, River Wingo, Roman O’Shields, and Cyrus O’Shields; and several very special nieces and nephews.
She was a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority (Pres.1976-77), Eastern Star, Model A Club, and the Red Hat Ladies in Alexander City, where she and her husband lived for over 32 years. They were both members of the First United Methodist Church, but also regularly attended the Church in the Pines and Children’s Harbor Church on Lake Martin.
Known as Patsy in her younger days, Pat to her friends, and Nana (pronounced Nonna) to many others. She was someone special to everyone who knew her. Her life was filled with purpose as she raised her son, daughters, granddaughter, and taught art to hundreds of children throughout the years at Stephens and Radney Elementary Schools. She was very well loved by so many friends; some of those most special to her were from the school system, her community of artists (primarily from Cheeko’s art classes), the Red Hat Ladies, and her long-time lake friends. (We hope they are enjoying a pontoon ride in heaven right now.) She was also well loved by her former students. Decades after retirement, all around town, you’d always hear “Hey, Mrs. Crunk!”, and she would still know who that student was.
She is remembered not only for her fun and loving personality, but also for her artistic talent, and her impeccable outfits. She LOVED clothes with themes and color- always matching from head to toe. She had a habit of wearing a plethora of matching jewelry and would often quietly give it away to strangers that complimented her on it. That’s how her heart was. She made this world brighter and left an impact on more people than she may have realized. We will miss her dearly.