Obituary for Wilmatine Mccranie

MRS. MARY WILMATINE GRAHAM McCRANIE, age 91, of Eastman, GA, died Monday, February 24, 2025, at her residence.

 Funeral services will be held at 11:00AM Wednesday, February 26, at Southerland Funeral Chapel, with Rev. Jack Lee and Rev. Clay Cox, with interment in Orphans Cemetery.

 Wilmatine was born February 6, 1934, in Eastman, GA. She was a lifelong resident of Dodge County and member of Eastman First Baptist Church. She was a graduate of Chauncey High School and attended Middle Georgia College. Wilmatine and J.C McCranie married on December 19, 1953. She worked at Robins Air Force Base for 11 years, worked for Saunders, Stuckey & Mullis Insurance Agency and was a devoted employee and officer of Citizens Bank & Trust Company for 33 years before retiring from the bank to be a full-time nanny and taxi driver for her two precious grandchildren, Katie and Dalton. She was a dedicated wife of 65 years and a loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. Wilmatine was a member of the Financial Women of America where she served two years as an officer of the local chapter. She was an active member of the Colonel William Few Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution where she served as a Vice-Regent for 4 years. She was an active member of the Ester Sunday school class at Eastman First Baptist Church, worked with Childrens ministery in her younger years and was a member of the Monday Morning Flower Ladies. She was an active member of the Eastman Garden Club for many years. She enjoyed cooking, family trips to Ft. Walton Beach, FL and Lancaster, PA, researching genealogy, and loved watching Rev. Charles Stanley, The Gaithers, and Rev. Jimmy Swaggart on television. Most of all she enjoyed helping her daughter and son-in-law with her two grandchildren. Wilmatine was the daughter of the late Van Vera Stephens Graham and J.D. “Dalt” Graham and was preceded in death by her husband, James Cullen “J.C.” McCranie, and her siblings, Angelita Selph, Emory Graham, James Graham, Jr., Stephen Graham, Olethia Barrentine, and Buford “Jack” Graham, sister-in-law, Carol Jones Graham, and a niece, Shannon Joy Graham.

 She is survived by her Daughter – Susan McCranie Barlow (Greg) of Eastman, GA; Grandchildren – Katie Elizabeth Barlow and Dalton McCranie Barlow, both of Eastman, GA; Brother – Wendell Graham of Eastman, GA and Earl Graham (Pat) of Braselton, GA; Sister-in-law – Terry Graham of Alpharetta, GA; Several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

 The family may be contacted at the McCranie residence, 983 Cochran Hwy., Eastman, GA and will receive friends in Southerland Funeral Chapel from 10:00AM – 11:00AM on Wednesday, February 26, 2025. In addition to flowers contributions can be made to Eastman First Baptist Church, 5107 Oak Street, Eastman, GA 31023. Serving as pallbearers are Clay Cox, Benjamin McCranie, Don McCranie, Charles Williams, Tim Vaughn, and Wayne Smith. Ellen Sheffield was the pianist for the service. A special thank you to the following: Dr. Donald Selph and Staff, Hospice Care Options, Three Rivers Home Health, Jonna Wilkes, and Val Knoblock.