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It is with heavy hearts that the Cranford family announces the death of their mother, Lydia Elma Winburn Cranford, on Monday, January 6, 2025, after an extended illness. Elma was born on February 21, 1940, to Lewis Winburn and Lydia Kirven Winburn in Chesterfield County. She was one of five children and was a loving daughter and sister. She married Howard Cranford, and together, they raised two children, Sheila and Eddie. Elma was a loving daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and a caring friend to many. She was a faithful, longtime member of Chapel Hill Baptist Church, where she served in many roles, teaching Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and numerous committees. Her faith in God and her servanthood to Christ were evident in her life. Although she loved her Lord and Savior, she also raised her children to love Him. She was most happy when she was with her loving family. She had many jobs outside the home over the years, but her most treasured employment was that of a wife, mother, and grandmother. Her favorite activities were working in her yards, picking up pecans, listening to the Hartsville Red Foxes football games (she started following the Red Foxes when her grandson Jamie played football and continued until the present), and watching Clemson football with her son Eddie. She loved butterflies, both watching them outside and having them adorn her home. She is survived by her children, Sheila (Brad) Outlaw and Eddie (Jessica) Cranford; grandchildren, Sydney (Matt) Coley, Jamie (Allyson) Outlaw, Molli, Kassidi, and Eli Cranford; great-grandchildren, John and Josey Coley, all of Hartsville. She is also survived by siblings, The Rev. Dr. Ernest (Brenda) Winburn and Bernice Winburn, as well as numerous nieces and nephews who cared for her dearly. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lewis & Lydia Winburn, husband Howard Cranford, grandson Lynn Aaron Watkins, and siblings Henry Lee and James Earl Winburn. The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to Lydia Bruce for her never-wavering friendship, loving care, and devotion to her dear friend and for making the last two years of Momma’s life a fun and loving adventure. Their favorite adventure was to ride over to the farmer’s market and stop by Arby’s for a roast beef sandwich. Also, a special thank you to the most devoted and caring cousins Susie, Elaine, Kim, and Aunt Brenda, who so easily gave of their time and love to help make momma’s time peaceful and made her feel treasured and loved. Also, thank you to Annie Bell Simons who also helped to care for Momma. Our deepest heartfelt thank you to Pruitt Hospice (Melanie, Mary, Christina, and Betsy, who are all truly hand-picked by God for their job). Community Care for all their care with Momma, Kita, and Kendrick will always remain honorary members of our family. A funeral service to honor her life will be held at 2 o'clock on Thursday, January 9, 2025, at Chapel Hill Baptist Church, with The Rev. Dr. Ernest Winburn and The Rev. Grover Johnson officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. The Directors of Brown-Pennington-Atkins Funeral Home & Crematory are caring for the family.

Tributes

Mrs. Lydia Elma Winburn Cranford

February 21, 1940 - January 6, 2025