Obituary for James Mccranie

MR. JAMES H. McCRANIE, age 79, of Eastman, GA, died Monday, February 24, 2025, at Dodge County Hospital.

 Graveside services will be held at 3:00PM Thursday, February 27, at Vilula Baptist Church Cemetery, with Dr. Rick Lanford officiating.

 James was a lifelong resident of Eastman, GA, a member of Chauncey Baptist Church, and a 1963 graduate of Dodge County High School. He joined the Georgia National Guard after high school and served for 6 years. He also attended and studied at Middle Georgia College. He was a lifelong farmer and was a co-owner and operator of McCranie Farms, a family business which he worked for over 54 years along with his brother, son, and nephews. He was a dedicated husband of over 57 years and a loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and uncle. He enjoyed taking care of his family and spending time with his beloved wife Judy. James enjoyed tending to his family and their farming business, and Saturday night cookouts at the river with his family and friends. He also enjoyed making cane syrup for friends at his annual Thanksgiving gatherings at his river house. James was a soil and water conservation board member for over 30 years and was recognized by his peers for several farming awards during his career including, Dodge County Farmer of the Year, Conservationist of the Year, Milan Area Peanut Production Award, and District Peanut Farmer of the Year. He was proud of what his family had accomplished through four generations of farming. James was the son of the late Andrew H. McCranie and Geneva Burnham McCranie and was preceded in death by his wife, Judy Evans McCranie, brothers, Waymon McCranie and Curtis McCranie, brother-in-law, Tyrus Jones, and nephew, Waylon Cadwell.

 He is survived by his Daughter – Amy McCranie Howard (Charlie Staples) of Chauncey, GA; Son – Clay McCranie (Michelle) of Eastman, GA; 4 Grandchildren – Langston Howard (Colette), Colt McCranie, Lydia Howard, and Camryn McCranie Moore (Cody); Great-Grandson – Liam Ruffin; Brother – Dean McCranie (Ann) of Eastman, GA; Sister – Bobbie Faye Cadwell (Ronnie) of Eastman, GA. Sisters-in-law – Anne McCranie of Eastman, GA and Joan Evans Jones of Milan, GA; Nieces and Nephews – Brian McCranie (Marci), Brodie McCranie (Rita), Brooke Graham (Kennon), Al McCranie (Candi), Daina Peacock (Mark), Dawn Knight (Mike), Wayne Cadwell (Lorie), Whitney Selph (Rusty), and Mike Jones (Dale); Several Great-Nieces, Great-Nephews, Cousins, and Friends; Caregiver – Jan Holloway.

 The family will receive friends in Vilula Baptist Church before services from1:30PM–2:30PM and may be contacted at the McCranie residence, 2594 Chauncey Rhine Hwy., Eastman, GA. In lieu of flowers, the family request contributions to Vilula Baptist Church, 2662 Chauncey-Rhine, Eastman, GA 31023.