Home Obituaries Betty Jeffries Cranford

Betty Jeffries Cranford

Betty Jeffries Cranford, 86, of Hamlet North Carolina passed away peacefully in the home of her son on February 14, 2018.

Born on October 28, 1931 to the late Shine and Mae Jeffries, Betty was preceded in death by her loving husband Deon Monroe Cranford Sr. Mr. Cranford was retired from Coca-Cola Bottling Company. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Hamlet and was a veteran, serving in the US Navy during World War II and the U.S. Army during the Korean War, one baby son Robbie Darryl, one baby daughter, Betty Lynne, both of her parents, her sister Mary Lois Coan, and Godson Little Ron Venable.

Betty was born in Biscoe, North Carolina, but later lived in Ellerbe where she met the love of her life Deon Monroe Cranford, Sr.  She graduated from Ellerbe High School in 1949 and married Deon on July 1st of the same year.  The two went on to share 68 wonderful years of marriage, most of which they spent together in their quaint little home in East Hamlet.  They surrounded their home by a large flower garden that, in the Spring, rivals the beauty of any of nature’s wonderful creations, but filled their home with love and family beginning with their son, Deon Monroe Cranford Jr.

Family was Betty’s passion.  Her love for her husband was both beautiful and inspiring.  Even with her own health diminishing, she stayed by his side until he passed away on June 12, 2016.  She used her love for reading, writing, and music to instill in her son and grandchildren the importance of imagination, creativity, and finding joy in life.

She loved to laugh and found hilarity in the most ordinary things.  She often imposed her quick-witted sense of humor onto anyone that just happened to be around, and did so until the very last days of her life.  She also found joy in her Coca Cola memorabilia collection, a hobby and passion that she picked up through her husband’s 41-year career with the company.  Each red and white clad piece of the collection has a story, and each story was told with a smile.

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Betty’s Daughter-in-law, Donna Covington Cranford, was more of a daughter.  They shared a love and a bond for one another that grew even stronger when Donna became the primary caregiver for both Betty and Deon Sr. in their final months of life.

Betty is survived by one son, Deon Monroe Cranford Jr. of Hamlet, daughter-in-law Donna Covington Cranford, grandchildren Deon Monroe Cranford III (Dr. Laura Cranford) and Cayce Cranford Holmes both of Hamlet, three great-grandchildren Carma Rae Pressley, Cameron Holmes, and Aubrey Cranford, and two sisters, Barbara Poole of Concord, NC and Drina Hudson of Indian Trail, NC.

A memorial service will be 3 p.m. on Sunday, February 18, 2018 at the First Presbyterian Church in Hamlet with Elder Belinda Rice officiating.  Following the service, she will be laid to rest at Richmond Memorial Park in Rockingham.  The family will see friends on Saturday, February 17, 2018 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Watson-King Funeral Home in Hamlet.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made the First Presbyterian Church of Hamlet General Fund (200 Rice Street Hamlet, NC  28345) or to Scotland Regional Hospice (610 Lauchwood Drive, Laurinburg, NC  28352).

 

Online condolences may be made at www.watson-kingfuneralhome.com Watson-King Funeral Home in Hamlet is serving the Cranford family.



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