Jane Long Crofford

Of Melbourne, Arkansas

Jane Long Crofford of Melbourne, Arkansas was born May 26, 193 in Hartselle, Alabama and died August 9, 2024 following a long battle with Alzheimer's disease.  She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Oscar "Doc" Crofford, and three children:  Leslie of Melbourne, Arkansas, David (Nancy) of Nashville, Tennessee and Stephen (Barb) of Nashville, Tennessee.  She had six grandchildren – Mattie (Jed) Crumbo, Morgan (Kevin) Aubuchon, Molly (Will) Turner, Stephen Jr. (Elizabeth), Alex (fiancé David) Wyatt, and Gabby (Zach) Dugger, as well as seven great grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Howell and Sarah Long, and her siblings June Stephenson ad Jimmy Long; and is survived by nieces and nephews.   Jane went to Auburn University and then transferred to Vanderbilt University to complete her degree in nursing where she met Oscar, who was a medical student at the time.  They lived in Nashville, Tennessee while raiding their family then moved to their beloved Rocky Bayou Angus Farm in 1995.  Jane was an exceptional athlete who taught her children to play tennis and took an active role in organizing local and regional tennis tournaments in Nashville.  When her children were older, she began her serious tennis career.  Between 1974 and 1995, she won an incredible 48 national senior women's tennis championships in singles and doubles.  She was a founding member of the National Senior Women's Tennis Association and was proud to represent the United States in international competition.  Jane was named World Tennis Magazines player of the year in 1968. She was inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 1986 and the Tennessee Tennis Hall of Fame in 1993.  After moving to Melbourne, she took exceptional pride in caring for her cows and became an avid golfer.  She was also the enthusiastic director of Camp Grouch (named after Oscar the Grouch) for her grandchildren.  Jane lit up every room she entered with a smile, a story and a laugh.  She loved all of her family and friends who remember the joy she took in life.