Funeral services will be at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, August 3, 2012 at Crestwood Memorial Chapel for Mr. James Cranford, who was called home on Tuesday, July 31, 2012, after a brief illness. Mr. Cranford has gone to meet his loving wife of 63 years, who he missed dearly. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. Rev. James Samples will officiate. Burial will be at Crestwood Memorial Cemetery. Crestwood Memorial Funeral Home will direct the services.
James was a life-long resident of Gadsden. He was a member of James Memorial Baptist Church. He retired from Bowman Transportation with over 20 years of service. He cherished his years with the love of his life, Sue. They loved to make road trips because of his passion of traveling. They enjoyed the old-fashioned and simple things of life, which will be passed on from generation to generation. He laid the foundation of unconditional love in our family.
James was preceded in death by his wife, Sue Cranford; parents, Houston and Della Cranford; grandson, James Allen McNeal; brothers, Junior Cranford; sisters, Jewell Pitts and Ruth Higgins.
He leaves to cherish his memory his daughters, to whom he held a very special bond with, Diane (Jeff) Clevenger, Peggy Lopusnak, Sylvia Isbell (David Burgdorf) and Terri Cranford; grandchildren, Susan (Gary) Cooper, Sandra (Del) Lawler, Hughlena O'Bar, Jana Stokes, Nina (Nick) Lewis, Cindy (Frank) Dummar, Anna Lee (Jimmy) Fox, Bobbie Lynn (Carl) Irving and Jodi Case; 14 great grandchildren; 6 great great grandchildren; chosen daughter, Jodi Lynn (Brett) Trommler and chosen granddaughter, Kandi Hann.
Pallbearers will be Del Lawler, Clay Lawler, Gary Cooper, Blaine Stokes, Baylon Stokes, Jason Pitts and Brett Trommler.
We will miss his love of life and family and his courage to fight every adversity in life.
The family will receive friends on Friday, August 3, 2012 from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. at Crestwood Memorial Funeral Home.