Funeral services for Mr. Virgil Nelson Cranmore, age 80 of Carthage, Texas, will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 12, 2008 at Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Dr. J. B. Morris, Reverend Wade Harmon, and Reverend Steven Hill officiating. A military graveside service will follow in the Walton Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on Friday evening at the funeral home. Mr. Cranmore passed away on Thursday morning, January 10, 2008 in Henderson, Texas.

Virgil Nelson Cranmore was born on February 10, 1927 in Marietta, Oklahoma to John and Delia Walling Cranmore. Mr. Cranmore served his country in the United States Merchant Marines, Army, and Air Force during WWII, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War from 1946 until 1978, retiring as Master Sergeant with the majority of his service in the Air Force as an Air Traffic Controller. Mr. Cranmore served five tours of duty overseas during wartime over the span of his military career. He married Oredian Wilkerson on May 11, 1981 in Shreveport, Louisiana. He was an avid fisherman, hunter, and outdoorsman. Mr. Cranmore had lived in Panola County since 1978 moving from Great Falls, Montana. He was a member of Ebenezer United Methodist Church, where he was the superintendent of Sunday school as well as a Sunday school teacher. Mr. Cranmore was preceded in death by his parents.

Mr. Cranmore is survived by his wife, Oredian Cranmore of Carthage; three sons, John Matthew Cranmore and fiancé Kathy Ryan of Florence, Mississippi, Ricky Pride and wife Sherry of Carthage, and Eddie Pride of Beckville; two daughters, Lisa Powell and husband Mickey of Batesville, Arkansas and Sheila Morrison and husband Jared of Florence, Mississippi; one sister, Faye Willis and husband Dick of Carthage; eleven grandchildren, Laci Crawford, Bryan Pride, Jamie DeVille, Trent Pride, Tye Pride, Derek McAlister, Jackson Joy, Megan Cranmore, Clint McAlister, Shelby Cranmore, and Jessica Pride; and five great-grandchildren, Rope, Rider, and Savannah Pride and Tucker and Cole DeVille. Numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends also survive Mr. Cranmore.

Serving as pallbearers are Derek McAlister, Clint McAlister, Jackson Joy, Bryan Pride, Trent Pride, and Tye Pride. Serving as honorary pallbearers are Travis Wall, Leland Holland, Tracy Parker, Bill Walker, Herb Brevard, Harry Green, Frank Brown, Darin McAlister, Bill McAlister, and Neal Henigan.

If desired, memorials may be made to Ebenezer United Methodist Church, c/o Mrs. Laverne Wall, P.O. Box 622, Carthage, Texas 75633.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.