Wayne Cranford

Cloyde Wayne Cranford, known to just about everyone as “Wayne,” passed away at his home in Hornsby, Tennessee on October 27, 2025, after a brief illness. He was 60 years old.

Wayne was born on October 6, 1965 in Union City, Tennessee, to Claude Odell Cranford and Ruby Willcutt Cranford. He was a hardworking man who lived simply, loved deeply, and never met a stranger.

Wayne spent over 30 years on the road as a truck driver, a job he was proud of and took seriously. Before that, he worked as a short order cook and cooked for Cracker Barrel in Clarksville, Tennessee, skills he never lost, especially when it came to feeding his family. He had a gift for making people feel welcome, whether he was behind a grill or behind the wheel.

Wayne loved to fish, garden, and cook, and he especially loved being surrounded by his family. He had a special place in his heart for his nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews, many of whom saw him as more than an uncle. He also opened his heart and home as a foster parent, always willing to be there for someone who needed him.

He is survived by his mother Ruby Willcutt Cranford; his siblings Chadwick Cranford, Amy Cranford, Derinda Cranford (Mark), Melissa Cranford (Bryan), and Teresa Edwards; and his many nieces and nephews: Casey Herman, Carrie Smith, Cory Stewart (Kimberly), Joseph Edwards (Brooke), Austin Edwards, Brittany Holland (James), Sabrina Cranford, Ella Percell, Jordan Cranford (Tiana), and Hanna Wells.

He also leaves behind great nieces and great nephews he adored: Ariana Stricklin, Bella Herman, Addison Smith, AdaLynn Smith, Levi Edwards, Riley Tisdale, Kayleigh Edwards, Waylon Holland, Daisy Holland, Lily Holland, Ramona Clayton, Gabe Agee, Nyla Cranford, and Mattie Stewart.

Wayne thought of Beth Smith as a sister and loved her deeply, as he did her godson Logan Luttrell. He also held a deep bond with another chosen sister, Priscillia Escue, and her children Hayden and Nathan Stanford. Shane Herman and Mable Hopper were like second mothers to him, and he loved them dearly.

He was preceded in death by his father Claude Odell Cranford, his sister Sheila Gail Stewart, and his nephew Andrew Cranford Hampton.

A service to celebrate Wayne’s life will be held Saturday November 1, 2025 at Pisgah Church in Counce beginning at 1:00 PM, with visitation from 11:00 AM until service time. Burial to follow in Pisgah Cemetery.   

Pallbearers will be Cory Stewart, Jordan Cranford, Sabrina Cranford, Carrie Smith, Joseph Edwards, and Hanna Wells. Honorary pallbearers include Hayden Stanford, Logan Luttrell, and Wayne’s great nieces and great nephews, who meant the world to him.

Instead of flowers, Wayne asked that donations be made to the Boys and Girls Club of your choice to support the next generation, something that always mattered to him.

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