Henry Matthew Cranford

CRANFORD, Henry Matthew “Mac”, born February 25, 1931 in Palmetto, Georgia, one of thirteen children, to the late Paul and Erma Cranford, passed away December 15, 2017. Henry was a high school graduate and served his country in the U. S. Army, Korean War. He met and married the late and former Lizzie Mae Knox and from that union were born five children, Denise Cranford, Deborah Cranford (deceased), Darlene (Don) Cotton, Derrick (Sheila) and Dale (Beverly) Cranford, all of Dayton. Henry retired from NCR and was a member of the Local VFW 3808 and the Masonic Lodge. He was an avid baseball fan and his favorite team was the “Cincinnati Reds”.

Preceded in death by his sisters, Opal Merritt, Mary Cranford, Bessie Harrison, Margaret Peterson; brothers, Mark Cranford (MJ), Oscar and Curtis Cranford.

He leaves to cherish his memory his sisters, Mattie “Lucille” Francis, Eugenia Adams, Cassie Dunson, Myrtice Chambers; brother, Charles Cranford, East Orange and Newark, NJ. Henry was blessed with 10 grandchildren, Phillip (Teffinia) Mitchell, Lake Charles, LA, Corey Mitchell (deceased), Ashleigh Burns, Janielle and Darnell Davis, Juan, Daniel and Shawn Cranford, LaKeisha Cranford-Searcy (Deion), Dale Jr. (Ashley) Cranford; his blessing continued to flow to include 15 great grandchildren, Phillip Jr. “PJ”, Treyvon and Treyesha Mitchell, Adan Smith, Kiera and Kylah Tigner, Juan Jr., Aaron, Daniel Jr. and Awnesty Cranford, Nevaeh and Kaylen Searcy, Kenadi Cranford, Mikayla Allen, Dalen Cranford; very special niece, Glenda (Don) Black; special neighbors who looked after his home, Dwayne and Angie; a host of cousins, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law and friends, too many to name. A very special thank you to his care providers at Friendship Village Nursing Home, Lauren, Shawn and Denise. We thank you very much! Our daddy, better known to the family as Big Daddy, his laughter, jokes and sense of humor, will be truly missed. The great grandchildren were the “LIGHT” of his life. He really loved those kids. Big Daddy, your journey is complete and we want you to Rest. We Love You Very Much!

Funeral service will be held 12 noon Friday, December 22, 2017 at the House of Wheat Funeral Home, Inc., 2107 N. Gettysburg Ave. Rev. Damion Sneed officiating. Visitation 9 am-12 pm. Family will receive friends 11 am-12 pm. Interment Dayton National Cemetery.

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