Eula Cranford

Eula Mae Forrest Cranford, age 88, formerly of 1623 West Park Ave. Albemarle, NC went to be with her Lord and Savior at Stanly Manor Nursing Home of Albemarle on Thursday, May 17, 2012. The family will receive friends on Monday, May 21, 2012, at Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m. Friends and family are welcome to come by Hartsell Funeral Home anytime after 2 p.m. Sunday to pay respects. The funeral service will be held at Hartsell Funeral Home’s Lefler Memorial Chapel on Monday, May 21, at 2 p.m., with Rev. Kristy Burnette officiating. Burial will follow at Stanly Gardens of Memory. At other times the family will be meeting at the home of her daughter, Gail Childers, 38778 Childers Lane, New London. Mrs. Cranford was born in Stanly County on September 24, 1923 to the late Claude C. Forrest and the late Gertie Ann Chandler Forrest. Mrs. Cranford was married to John Henry Cranford for 59 years, who preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Brenda C. Couick and one sister, Rachel F. Edwards. She is survived by her daughter, Gail C. Childers and husband Ronald Lee Childers Sr. of New London; three grandchildren, Ronald L. Childers, Jr. and his wife Crystal, Teresa Vanhoy Blizzard and her husband Roy, Michael Couick and his wife Carrie; three great grandchildren, Thomas Childers, Sydney Couick, Braelyn Couick; five step great grandchildren; three brothers, Thomas Forrest of Marion, Alfred Forrest and his wife Margie of Charlotte and Dewey Forrest of Richfield. Mrs. Cranford had been an active member of Friendship United Methodist Church for over 50 years, as long as her health permitted, as a past Certified Lay Leader and past President of the United Methodist Women for three years. She served on numerous Board of Directors. She also served on Albemarle District United Women for four years as a Christian Social Concerns chairperson. She received Special Mission Recognition in 1991, and received the UMW Special Mission Recognition in 1992. She was a member of John Wesley Bible Sunday School and had previously been a Stanly County U.M. Fellowship Youth Counselor with her husband John. Mrs. Cranford had also previously been President of the Stanly Auctioneer Civitan Club from 1986 to 1987, and served as Chaplin, Sergeant of Arms, and on various other committees. Mrs. Cranford was a Grand Marshal in the Albemarle Christmas Parade, sponsored by Stanly County Chamber of Commerce and past president of Millingport Home Extension Club. Mrs. Cranford was retired as Executive Director of Stanly County Vocational Workshop, Inc., ARC, Greenwood Center and was employed from 1965 to 1987 by Health Science Administrator. She was also certified in Vocational Rehab School of Cleveland, Ohio in 1967, Stanly Community College in Albemarle, NC in 1975, certified in Human Services, Central Piedmont College in 1974, Adult Day Program Association for Retarded Citizens, Inc, Albemarle, NC 1985-1987, President of NC Shelter Workshops Inc. 1977, Treasure, 1973, President Administrative practice division, 1976, secretary, treasurer, 1974, past President of the NC Rehabilitation Facilities, Inc. 1977 Past President NC Administrative Practice Division 1976, Past Treasurer (NCASW) 1973. Member of ARC-Stanly County, served on the Advisory Committee of Stanly County Home Extension Services, Citation of Merit Award 1973, Stanly County Chamber of Commerce chosen Citizen of the year 1970-1971 by Albemarle Civitan Club. She received honorary plaque for serving on the NC Easter Seal Advisory committees 1976-1977. She served as VIP on Easter Seal Telethon for two years, channel 9 TV, WSOC. She was named to the National Distinguished Registry Library of Congress, 1987, “Who’s Who Listing”: Who’s who in the South and Southwest 1989-1990, Who’s Who in Finance and Industry 1988-1989, Who’s Who 2,000 Notable Women, the Worlds Who’s Who of Women in 1989, and in the International Biography Center, Chambridge England 1990 and 1991. An International Leader in Achievement 1991, she was published in the Internationl Center Cambridge, England Woman of the Year, and National Biography Institute 1990. She was a volunteer for Heart Fund Easter Seal Society, Cancer Fund, and ARC. Mrs. Cranford’s avocations include traveling, sports, flower gardening, reading and stamp collecting but most of all, she loved spending time with her family and friends. She loved doing for others. She will be greatly missed. Memorials may be made to Arc of Stanly County, 350 Pee Dee Ave., Suite 1, Albemarle, NC 28001and Friendship United Methodist Church, 24712 Hwy 73 W., Albemarle, NC 28001. Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle is serving the Cranford family. Online condolences may be made at www.hartsellfh.com.