Mernie Sams Crane
Candidate for the Office of Chaplain General
MARYLAND
Membership
Mary Digges Lee Chapter in Laurel, Maryland
Date Admitted to the National Society: December 8, 2001
Pending Life Member
Associate Membership: Captain James Cook Chapter (Australia)
Education & Training
GEP 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5; Members Course; New Horizons Course; Committee Leaders Course
National Chair
DAR Museum Outreach (2022-2025)
National Vice Chair
DAR Museum Outreach–NSDAR Museum Docents (2016-2019)
Continental Congress Service
Vice Chair, Memorial Service (2022-2024); Marshal (2014-2016, 2018); House (2012-2013); DAR Chorus (2004, 2007, 2008); Page (2004). Congress Units Overseas sales volunteer for seven years.
National Committee Member
Property Beautification and Hospitality (2013-2022); DAR Museum Outreach, Docent Board Chaplain (2013-2016); DAR Museum Docent (2012-2022); DAR Genealogy Preservation “Descendants Project” Volunteer (2011)
Additional Appointments
Tamassee School Board Member (2014-2020)
State Executive Board Service
State Regent (2021-2024); Vice Regent (2018-2021); Chaplain (2015-2018)
Highlights of State Regent Service
- Digitized all Maryland DAR records (over 150 bound volumes) dating back to 1903 by mobilizing Daughters from around the state as volunteers.
- Online publication of the Maryland Revolutionary War Patriot Anthology consisting of short works of historical fiction by members and nonmembers.
- Raised over $75,000 for the state-owned Chapter House preservation and endowment funds.
State Vice Chair Service
Women’s Issues (2012-2015); Maryland Room (2012-2015)
State Committee Service
Chapter House (2018-2024); Finance (2018-2024); Bylaws (2021-2024)
Chapter Officer Service
Regent, Vice Regent, Chaplain, Honorary Regent; Organizing and Charter Member (2009)
Chapter Committee Service
Bylaws; Chairman, The Flag of the USA; Chairman, DAR Genealogy Preservation
National Club Affiliations
National Officers Club, National Chairmen’s Association, National Vice Chairmen’s Association, State Regents Club, State Vice Regents Club (Vice President/Chaplain, 2019-2020)
State Club Affiliations
Cameo Club, Junior Club, Page Club, State Chairmen’s Club, State Officers Club
Donor Recognition Societies
1890 Annual Giving Circle, Heritage Club, Founders Club, Guardian Trust, Sustaining Supporter
Community Service
- SAR: Martha Washington Medal, 2024
- United Methodist Church: Conflict Resolution Facilitator; Board of Ordained Ministry, Secretary; District Committee Ordained Ministry; developed and led UMC District Workshops; Lead Women Pastors and Future Leadership Consultation; Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministries; United Methodist Historical Society and Commission on Archives and History.
Professional
Ordained Elder in The United Methodist Church who has served as lead pastor over multiple congregations. Adjunct professor at Wesley Theological Seminary and leads seminars on church leadership. Prior to ministry worked 13 years in international business, many of which involved conflict resolution work during South Africa’s transition out of apartheid.
Education & Personal
Doctor of Ministry; Master of Divinity; Master of Business Administration. Involved with historic preservation efforts in hometown of Annapolis, chairs an arts committee in D.C., leads local food pantry collections, and has joined hands-on work of restoring cemetery gravestones. One of her greatest joys has been leading multiple churches to gather together for interfaith worship throughout the year. Married to husband Jeff for 35 years. Blessed with with three adult daughters (all DAR); one son-in-law with two more on the horizon; and one adorable grandson. Mother-in-law Linda is also a proud Maryland Daughter.