William Mark Crain
February 13, 1968 ~ July 23, 2012
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
William Mark Crain, 44, of Asheville, passed away Monday, July 23, 2012 at his home.
He was the son of Wid and Aileen Crain of Asheville, and brother of Serena Crain of Asheville.
He graduated from A.C. Reynolds High School and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
A Memorial Service will be held on August 4, 2012, at Morningside Baptist Church, 14 Mineral Springs Rd., in Asheville, with the Rev. Joe Babb officiating. The family will receive friends from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. and the service will follow.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to CarePartners of Asheville, PO Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813, or to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312.
Groce Funeral Home on Patton Ave. is assisting the family.
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May you rest in peace my dear sweet friend. Your loving ways and playful personality will live on in my memory forever.
I’ve lost a very special friend, and my heart is breaking and the tears just won’t stop flowing. Sometimes people come into your life and you know right away that they are meant to be there; Mark, that was you, buddy. I remember that day you walked into the pharmacy and into my life, and I am so glad that over the past few years I was able to help you through some very rough times… but more than that, I’m so thankful for the friendship that came out of that. I’m looking at a text you sent me two months ago, in which you said, ‘Hey Nate! I’m gonna win this war!’ And I cry because you fought so hard, and ultimately weren’t able to. So today, good buddy, that place you had in my heart is very, very empty. I miss you. And these tears are in your honor. You and I talked a lot about my upbringing in Africa, so I’ll close with this. ‘Ndimakukonda’ (‘I love you.’) Big hug as always, Nate
Mark
You do not know the joy and laughter you brought to me. It was a joy to have worked with you
at Stacy’s.
All the years you never forgot me
and would call and talk for hours.
We had the best memories and that
is what I will always have of you.
Mom and Dad, he loved you all so
very much. He would always have something to tell me about you two.
It is a sad time but these memories
are what will keep us going.
Thanks for always being a dear friend.
To my dearest friend Mark…today has been a tough day for all your family and friends. We have all lost such a wonderful part of our lives. Mark I hope you knew just how much you meant to everyone including me. I will alwa;ys keep you in my heart and remember the good times we shared. Thank you for being such a handsome date for our senior prom, we had such a good time, laughing and cutting up. I will always remember your wonderful smile and laugh. Good night my dearest friend, we will meet again one day..I love you deeply…Angie
So very sorry to hear of Mark’s passing. May God hold your family close and provide love, comfort, and assurance in the days ahead.
I will always remember Mark for his wonderful sense of humor and his sweet spirit. You will be missed greatly my friend. To Mark’s family and all his friends that he held so dear my prayers are with you. God bless and keep you during the difficult time.
My sincere condolences for your loss. Mark was truly the nicest guy I have ever known. I have loved him since elementary school…as so many of us have. I will keep your family in my prayers.
Eileen, Wid and Serena – I am so sorry for your loss. I have such vivid memories of the times we were together. Mark was an amazing person and loved by all that met him. He will be missed. Love to you all (you all hold a special place in my memories and heart)- Cindy
Dear Wid, Aileen and Serena, I am so very sorry for the loss of your beloved son, Mark…I am numb with shock. Please know that you all are in my prayers. God be with all of you and give you comfort at this time and the months to come.
I’m so sorry for your loss.I will be in prayer for all the family.
Love Sabrina
I grew up with Mark in Oakley, I remember him most in elementary school as Mark was my best friend Denise’s boyfriend. Mark was always kind and sweet. My thoughts are with his loved ones.
Mark was and will always be such a special person to me(my elementary school boyfriend).I will never forget all of our childhood dreams and memories. I was so happy to reconnect with him a few years back after a long period of time. Mark was the best boyfriend ever. We were best friends and he will always be in my heart. I will be praying for all of you.Much Love, Denise
I am so sorry to hear of Mark’s passing. I will be praying for all the family.
I’ll miss knowing I might run into you some place and see that big smile and get a warm, big hug. You are still my first friend.
Serena, I was so, so sorry to hear this. I think of you often and am sending lots of love to you and your dear parents.
Mr.& Mrs. Crain, Serena,
I am sorry for your loss. I will always have fond memories of growing up with Mark. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Serena dirty for your loss of mark he was a great person class mate and friend I will always remember his smile his classy clothes and the advice he could always give when you asked I will miss seeing him around Asheville and future reunions and Florida where I live but at least he has not more sorrow sickness or pain he has crossed the line and is walking beside the grenn and the still waters of heaven into a new life and party and waiting for all of you one day I will pray for you and hope each day is a comfort in your lives stay in touch and take and I will always remember mark just as I do Debbie Barry I have put your family on a prayer list at my church in florida
Mark was a great guy. Always had a smile to share. We will miss you old friend. My heart and prayers go out to his family in this difficult time.
Peggy
When I think back to my childhood my memories inevitably include the Crain family. Serena and I were wonderful friends and we were an annoying twosome and I’m sure a pain in Mark’s butt. I can remember several incidents that make me smile but one in particular included Serena and I stealing all of Mark’s prized Izod shirts and climbing to the tallest part of the tree and hanging them with Mark screaming up at us!!! (It was Serena’s idea…) I also remember with envy Mark’s cherished and meticulous ‘hotel soap and matchbook’ collection. He never, ever let me go near it much lesstouch it but I would never go on vacation without bringing him a ‘lovely cashmere bouquet’ hotel soap. He was a great person, a great ‘big brother’ that I never had and most importantly a great ride to school in his awesome (and also enviable) Honda Prelude! My condolences to the entire Crain family. The world is a much better place because Mark was in it!!!
Aileen,
I am so sorry to hear about Mark. You and your family are in my prayers.
Love, Kathy
We have so many fond memories of our years in Asheville. Your family was and still is so special to us.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Aileen, I was so sorry to hear about Mark. Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you. I will pray for you and your family.
Dear Wid, Aileen,and Serena,
Words cannot express my sorrow upon learning of Mark’s death. I have so many pleasant memories of teaching him and Serena, and working with you, Aileen, at Oakley. My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time.I pray for your comfort and peace.
Thoughts and prayers are with you yesterday, today and always. I am very sorry for your loss. Mark was always such a great guy and it was an honor to call him a friend and classmate. R.I.P. Until we meet again, my friend!!!
Mark was such a fun-loving, dynamic person. I have such fond thoughts of him. I am so very sorry for your loss…my thoughts are with you Serena, and your family.
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Crain and Serena,
I am so sorry for your loss. Mark was a wonderful person and I will always have fond memories of him at Oakley and Reynolds. All of you are in my thoughts and prayers. May peace be with you during this difficult time.
Serena, I am so sorry to hear about your brother. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. (I went to Oakley Elementary with Mark.)
Wid, Aileen, and Serena,
Vince and I both are so sorry for your loss. Lots of memories for both of us with you guys, Vince as your neighbor and my many sleepovers in Oakley and all of us playing together. Mark and his big smile…so sweet, will be so missed. Mark was always so genuine, no matter when or where we ran into him, as if we were still kids! Stay strong for each other and know that we are praying for you and will be here if you guys need anything.
I’ve been missing you for what seems like forever. We’ve been best buddies, confidants and fabulous shopaholics together since 1974, when we met in 1st grade. Mom & I have been reminiscing about you all week, laughing about our misadventures, looking thru old photos, thinking about your mom & dad & how much fun Serena & I had messing with you. There’s no one like you in my life now, but heck, there was never anyone like you before! Oh the adventures we had…and the one last one that we had planned but now won’t happen. When I get to the beach in a few weeks, I’m tossing a glass of champagne (Freixenet!) into the waves in your honor…I’d toss the good stuff but you know we vowed to never waste a drop…lol…you are a class act Mr. Crain & the corner of my soul that you occupied is dark now, wish I could hug your neck just one more time. Tell everyone in Heaven hello, get some rest. In God’s time we’ll meet again & it’ll be like time was standing still. Love you my manchild!
I can’t even imagine the difficult time you are going through with this hard journey,the loss of your son.May God be with you. My thoughts and prayers are with you also.
Blessed be your soul. May you rest in peace.
Jeff Seitz
Wid and Aileen, Joann and I were so sorry to learn of Mark’s passing. We have you in our thoughts and prayers. May the Lord give you the peace and comfort that you need at this time.
Mark, keep smiling. you are in a wonderful place. You can give some of our other friends a hug. Can’t imagine not bantering with you on FB. And can NEVER imagine that God needed you more. You shared your love and kindness every where you’ve been. Everyone you’ve met. You will be missed by so many. I’ll never forget the kindness you showed me. I know its hard for us here on this earth,not just all your friends, but can’t imagine the pain your family must be going through. They must be proud knowing all the people your sweetness has touched. I’m very heavy hearted. We will see each other again, my sweet friend.
Dear Crain Family,
Please accept my sincere condolences for your loss. May you find comfort in your loving memories, and in knowing that God is ‘near to those that are broken at heart; ans those who are crushed in spirit he saves.’ (Psalm 34;18) While grief at the loss of Mark is great, joy at welcoming him back in the resurrection will be greater. (Mark 5;42) With deepest sympathy,
Mark…. I love you and miss you. Look after my mom, Alys.
Wid, Aileen and Serena… I am so so, so, sorry for your loss. God bless Mark and each of you for being such a great family.
Mark,
Heaven now has yet another angel. I will miss you forever and a day.
Love,
Jen
Wid, Aileen, and Serena,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.Even thought we didn’t get to know Mark.We do know from just hearing you talk about him that you were so proud of him and that you Loved him very much.Our time spent with you at church will always be special memories for us.Just know we send our love to you as you battle this loss.Our prayers for Gods loving arms to comfort you.We love you.
My deepest sympathy to Mark’s family. I graduated from ACR with Mark. We had several classes together and I remember his laughter. He was so much fun to be around. I know he will be greatly missed.
Rest in peace my good friend. You always brought a smile to my face and laughter to our conversations. You are a best friend a person could have. I will think of you often.
Wid and family, wanted you to know you are in our prayers during this difficult time. We are currently out of town but just know you are in our thoughts. May Christ comfort you as no one else can.
Mark and I met in the grocery store not long ago and talked for over an hour. The central theme in his conversation was how important family was to him. It was obvious that he made sacrifices and was eager to spend as much time as possible to be with the ones that were dearest to him. The smile and feeling I got of such peace in his life left me with a feeling of happiness and peace myself after our talk. Though I cannot imagine the pain of losing a son or a brother I know it must be so awful. My hope is that you will find comfort in the memories and that these loving thoughts will bring smiles to your dear faces as time goes by.
With all my love, Lois
So sorry to hear that Mark passed away. I saw him almost two years ago at a Lady Antebellum Concert. He said that he had cancer but he looked great! I’ve know Mark since we were kids in Cub Scouts together and remember going to his family’s home in Oakley for our scout meetings. As a classmate and fellow ACRHS Class of 1986 alum, Mark was always friendly to everyone. He was always more of a friend to me than I ever was to him and I am blessed that I was one of the many lives Mark touched while on this earth! My deepest sympathy and prayers to his family!