James Junior Cranford

James Junior Cranford, age 92, of Marion, North Carolina, departed to be with the Lord on Saturday, February 08, 2020 at Autumn Care of Marion.  Born in McDowell County, North Carolina on August 11, 1927, he was the son of the late Charles and Aletha Moody Cranford. 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce Thomas Cranford; one sister; and four brothers.

James Cranford was a truly good man.  He was a man who found great comfort in the knowledge of his salvation, and who, notwithstanding many challenges in his life, maintained his faith through it all.  He never wavered in his devotion to his God.  If God made a better man than James Cranford, he didn’t need to.  As anyone who knew him can testify, there is no man who more closely exemplifies the scripture in Micah 6:8: He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? James never sought attention nor glory --- he simply pointed to God as the source of all good things that came to him --- and all good things that came to those whose lives were touched by him while he was with us.  All who knew him will sorely miss him, but not one who knew him can help but smile when they think of where he is at this very moment in time.  He is with his Lord --- and he is waiting there for us.

James is survived by one daughter, Linda Seagle (Harold); one son, Tommy Edwin Cranford (Kathy); four grandchildren, Mark Seagle (Kaye), Aaron Cranford (Yasnaia), Matthew Cranford (Brandy) and Melanie Cranford (Steve); seven great grandchildren, Andrew Cranford, Ethen Cranford, Ian Cranford, Lilly Cranford, Logan Cranford, Taylor Wyatt and Summer Wyatt; and several nieces and nephews.

James was a veteran of the United States Army Air Corp having served during WW II. He was a long-time member of Nealsville Church of God.  

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. at Nealsville Church of God with Rev. Doug Carpenter, Rev. Tim Macon and Rev. Walter Pegues officiating. Interment, with military honors provided by the United States Army, will follow in the church cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m., prior to the service, at the church.

Flowers are acceptable and appreciated.  Those wishing to make a memorial donation in Mr. Cranford’s memory are asked to consider Nealsville Church of God, 27 Bethel Church Road, Marion, North Carolina 28752.