Esta Claudine Cranford

Esta Claudine Cranford, age 92, of Beebe, Arkansas passed away on Saturday, August 29, 2015 at the Beebe Retirement Center. She was born on September 13, 1922 in Gregory, Arkansas to the late Calvin and Myrtie Eula (White) Baker. She married Charles Cranford in Little Rock on November 13, 1943. They celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary last year before his death in May. She is also preceded in death by two sisters: Martha Jo Hooten and Gayle Edwards and five brothers: Calvin, Bob, Jerry, Darrell and Ross Baker and son-in-law Ricky Strayhorn. Claudine was primarily a homemaker and a volunteer in school and church while raising her daughters. She was a secretary/bookkeeper at Branton & Branton Painting Contractors in Little Rock when her children were in high school and college. After her husband retired, they moved from Little Rock to Beebe, Arkansas where they were active in the church and the community. She volunteered at the Christian Outreach Center and enjoyed activities at The Shepherd's Center. She was a member of Beebe First United Methodist Church for 26 years. Previously, she was a member of Henderson United Methodist Church in Little Rock for 40 years. Claudine is survived by her daughters, Linda Temple of Weaverville, N.C., Joan Strayhorn of Beebe; grandchildren Douglas Temple(Laura) of Mooresville, N.C., Scott Temple(Jessica) of Huntersville, N.C. and Melissa Strayhorn of Beebe; great-granddaughters Abigail and McKenna Temple of Mooresville, N.C.; her aunt Lena Wyatt of Judsonia; many nieces, nephews and friends. Visitation will be held at Ruebel Funeral Home at 6313 West Markham, Little Rock on Thursday, September 3, 2015 from 10 to 11 a.m. followed by a graveside service at 11:30 at Forest Hills Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Arkansas Hospice, Beebe Christian Outreach, or Beebe First United Methodist Church. Arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.