Joyce (Shelton) Cranford

Martha Joyce Cranford passed from this life on Saturday, May 4, 2024. She was born on October 6, 1942, in Joaquin, Texas to Walter Chester “Buck” Shelton and Iva Mae Britnell. Joyce was raised on the family farm near Martinsville, Texas with her two sisters, Barbara and Brenda, and graduated from Nacogdoches High School in 1960. Joyce married Willie Loyd Cranford on October 14, 1961, and together they shared 62 years of devoted marriage.  After their marriage, Joyce and Willie made their home in Houston, Texas. She and Willie also share three sons, Steven, Lee, and Brad, who each cared for her sweetly in her final days.  Once their boys were older and in school, Joyce went on to become an accomplished legal assistant supporting the in-house counsel office for Bank United and eventually serving as the President of the Houston Area Legal Secretaries Association in 1997.  She concluded her career with the law firm of Wong, Cabello, Lutsch, Rutherford & Brucculer.  However, one of the roles which delighted her the most was grandmother to Cody, Evelyn, Benjamin, Lillie Jane, and Matthew, all of whom adored her, and who will miss her, her chicken and dumplings and banana pudding greatly.

Joyce loved the outdoors and when their boys were young, she and Willie made frequent camping trips to Colorado. She was an avid collector of teapots, as well as lighthouse, and giraffe memorabilia. Joyce was a natural peacemaker who always made the circle around her larger to welcome a growing extended family and network of close friends.   Joyce was a faithful member of Kleinwood Church of Christ in Houston, Texas.

Joyce was predeceased by her parents and sister, Brenda Anthony.  In addition to her husband, Willie, she is survived by her sons, Steven Cranford and Lee Cranford of Houston, Texas and Brad Cranford and wife, Melissa, of Keller, Texas.  Survivors also include grandchildren Cody Cranford of Spokane, Washington, Evelyn Cranford, Benjamin Cranford, Lillie Jane Cranford, and Matthew Cranford, all of Keller, Texas, as well as her sister Barbara Smith of Beaumont, Texas, brother-in-law Gary Anthony of Nacogdoches, Texas, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Roger and Nelda Clifton of Cleveland, Texas, and a host of beloved nieces and nephews.  Joyce will be buried at Cold Springs Cemetery in Garrison, Texas.  

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