P.O. Box 506, 943 Highway 425 North, Monticello, AR71655

Nadine Cranford
January 10, 1928 - January 14, 2019

Nadine Cranford

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Nadine Cranford, of Madison, Mississippi, and formerly of Monticello, Arkansas, died on January 14, 2019. She was born on January 10, 1928 in Fayetteville, Arkansas, as the only child of Virgil Ray and Opal Lierly Ray. She graduated from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville in 1949 and did graduate work at the University of Oklahoma, majoring in French. In 1955 she married Cornelius "Buddy" Cranford of Horatio, Arkansas. Early on, she was a full-time homemaker, setting up housekeeping at the many stops along Buddy's career, including Orange, Texas; Newark, Delaware; Cleveland, Mississippi; Carlsbad, New Mexico; Broken Bow, Oklahoma; and Monticello, Arkansas. They decided to settle in Monticello, and Nadine lived there from 1969 until Buddy's passing in 2011. After that she moved to be near her son in the Jackson, Mississippi, area. She worked at the University of Arkansas at Monticello, first in the Forestry Department and then in the library.

Nadine was a devoted wife and mother. She was a committed Christian, sure of her personal faith in Christ. Nadine was a faithful church musician, learning to play hymns at an early age. She played piano and organ for churches throughout her life.

She is survived by her daughter, Michelle Chamberlain of Alton, Illinois and husband, Hal, and their son Clay, and by her son, Dennis Cranford of Ridgeland, Mississippi and wife, Julia, and their children: Daniel (Ashley, son Matthew), Philip (Jennifer, daughters Isabelle, Lily, and Evelyn), Benjamin (Stephanie), Bethany, Andrew (Kelissa, son Tobias), John, Anna, Hunter, and Heather.

Special thanks to her caregivers Julia Cranford and Kelissa Cranford and the folks at St. Joseph Hospice, her nurse Natalie and caregiver Lena.

Arrangements are by Stephenson-Dearman of Monticello. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Friday, January 18 at the funeral home and services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 19 at First Baptist Church in Monticello. There will also be visitation at 10 a.m. Saturday at the church.

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Visitation
Friday, January 18, 2019
from 5:00 to 7:00 pm
Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home
943 Highway 425 North
Monticello, AR  71657
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Service
Funeral Service
Saturday, January 19, 2019
11:00 AM
First Baptist Church
413 N. Main
Monticello, AR  71655
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Interment
Oakland Cemetery
800 North Hyatt St.
Monticello, AR  71655
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Condolences(10)

  1. leslie,kay and matthew bear
    Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of sorrow

    leslie,kay and mattherw bear
  2. Billy Chandler
    Dennis, Julia and Family,
    It is never easy to say goodbye to your parents. Though I have not yet lost my mother, she is 95 and is in the Madison County (Canton) Nursing Home.My prayers for God's Peace and Comfort are with you and your sister and the rest of your family. Blessings to you all.
  3. Tommie Moyers
    Dennis, Michelle and families,
    I am so sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. I remember her as always so very kind. I missed her at Pauline. I pray each of you will gain comfort and peace from the many prayers lifting you up during this time of loss.
    Tommie Wiscaver Moyers
  4. Karen Rawls Pierce
    I am so sorry for your loss. Your Mom was a great lady & wife.
  5. David and Brenda Cranford
    We were so sorry to hear of Nadine's passing. She has always been special to us. May God comfort you by wrapping his loving arms around you at this time...
  6. Kay Chandler
    Dennis Ray and Michele and family, Our sincere sympathy May the goodness of God lift you up and give you peace and comfort in the days to come Kay Chandler David and Danny Cranford and family
  7. Bruce Brown
    Sorry for your loss. Prayers for all
  8. Scott Milburn
    Ms. Nadine was working in the UAM Forestry Department when I was there in the early '70's. She was always ready to help students or faculty in any way she could. Everyone was glad she was there. She was one of the kindest people I have ever met. Prayers for the family.
  9. Shirley (Ward) Stewart
    We send our sincere condolences. God Bless! Shirley, Olivia, Rita, Sam
  10. Tina Ferguson
    So sorry to hear of Mrs. Nadine's passing. I remember her well. She was a kind lady and loved the Lord.
    Tina&Ray Ferguson
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