Funeral services for Mrs. Charlie Merle Cranford were held at 11 a.m.
on Feb. 11, 2019, at the Prentiss Baptist Church. Mrs. Cranford, age
87, died Feb. 7, 2019, in Hattiesburg.  Rev. Buddy Keyes and Rev.
Roland McMillan officiated and burial followed in the Tyrone Cemetery.
Saulters Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Pallbearers were Danny Hamilton, Russell McPhail, Denvil McPhail,
James Gatewood, John Dyess and Rudy McNease. Honorary Pallbearers were
the Deacons of Prentiss Baptist Church.
Charlie Merle Cranford was born June 20, 1931, in Carson to Jasper N.
Dyess and Audrey Cole Dyess. She worked at the Prentiss School for 25
years as a school bus driver, office clerk and cafeteria worker. Mrs.
Cranford was a member of Prentiss Baptist Church, where she taught
Sunday school and was active in W.M.U. and the Angel Tree Ministry.
Mrs. Cranford was preceded in death by her mother and father; her
husband of 69 years, Curtis Cranford; one son, Tommy Cranford; one
sister, Annette Gatewood; three brothers, Larue Dyess, Cecil Hugh
Dyess and Shannon Dyess.
Mrs. Cranford is survived by her daughter, Charlotte McPhail (Ronald)
of Hattiesburg; two grandchildren, Melissa Braddock (Keith) of Laurel
and Jason McPhail of Hattiesburg; four great-grandchildren Kye
Braddock, Dawson Braddock, Colby McPhail and Hayden McKellar; one
great, great-grandchild, Charlee McKellar; as well as a host of other
relatives and friends.
Visitation was Feb. 10, 2019, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Saulters Funeral Home.
Online condolences and a guest registry are available at
www.saultersmoorefuneralhome.com.