Clara Cranford Parsons

Clara Cranford Parsons, age 94, of 401 Lambert Rd., Biscoe, formerly of 3516 Pekin Rd., Candor died Friday, January 1, 2016 at Stanly Regional Medical Center, Albemarle. Mrs. Parsons was born October 26, 1921 in Troy, NC the daughter of John Willis and Ada Florence Brewer Cranford. She was a 1939 graduate of Troy High School in Troy, NC, where she played guard on the basketball team, was in Beta Club, and class historian of her graduating class. During WWII, she attended and graduated from the Civilian Training Branch of the Signal Corps Ground Signal Service in Long Branch, New Jersey. She spent the war years repairing airplane radios and living in various cities around the country. These included San Antonio, Little Rock, Boston and San Bernardino. She was a member of Parsons Grove United Methodist Church and a former textile employee. In addition to her parents she is preceded in death by her husband Leonard Parsons, children: Janice C. Bridges and John Craig; brothers: Charles, Paul, Woodrow, Raymond, Dale, Cashion, John and Bob Cranford; sisters: Edith Atkins, Sarah Craig and Clattie Belle Cranford. She is survived by two sons: Joe Parsons of Mt Gilead and Leet Parsons of Candor; one daughter: Cynthia “Cindy” P. Blake and husband Benny of Mt. Gilead; one brother: Duke Cranford of Junction City, Kansas; 9 grandchildren: Harris, Craig, Jonathan, Benjamin, Ryan, Emily, Maegan, Angela and Evan: 21 great-grandchildren: Karen, Jessica, Rebekah, Brian, Anna, Carlee, Cora, Wyatt, Conner, Collin, Gracianna, Joseph, Jackson, Jaycob, Dina Jean, Addie Grace, Cashion, Julia, Harmony, Carson and Enya; 1 great-great-grandchild: Levi. The family will receive friends Monday, January 4, 2015 from 6-8 pm at Pugh-Troy Funeral Home, 211 N Main St., Troy; other times at her home. The funeral will be Tuesday at 2:00 pm at Parsons Grove United Methodist Church, 3431 Pekin Rd., Candor with Reverend Vanessa McIntyre officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Parsons Grove United Methodist Church, “Cemetery Fund”, c/o Kristen Goforth, 1060 Pekin Rd., Troy, NC 27371 or to the charity of one’s choice. Pugh-Troy Funeral Home is serving the Parsons Family. On-line condolences may be made at www.pughfuneralhome.com.