Glenda G. Cranford

Glenda Gail Cranford passed away peacefully in her home on October 2nd, 2026, after being surrounded by the love and laughter of her closest family. She has been a fixture in Branford, whether she was cheering on the Bucs in 1961, teaching your 5th grade class in the 90s, taking tickets at Friday night ballgames in 2010, or even laughing with the “Magnificent Seven” ladies at the community center music night they championed. Her warmth was and is ever-present.

Glenda - also lovingly known as Gingi to many, Gog to a few - was born in Branford, FL to William and Louise Cranford on March 30th, 1943, the oldest of four, and was an extraordinary human being from the beginning. Accolades like Miss BHS and FHA President would only be the start of a long list accrued throughout her life. She graduated from UF and taught school in Live Oak for many years, retiring from SCSD after both teaching and offering her wisdom as a guidance counselor at Branford’s K-12 school. She won Teacher of the Year awards multiple times, and it’s no secret that she remains beloved among her students to this day.

To her family she’s always been a bright light, undimming and full of life. She loved the color green, and it matched her in turn, vibrant and always growing. She loved clogging, singing, and music in any form, really. She would tell you often that she “wished she had been born musically gifted” like her brothers, daughter, uncle, and many musical friends, and she would soak up every note of music played around her. And it never stopped her from singing along - loudly, proudly, and very rarely on-key.

She is preceded in death by her parents William and Louise, her son-in-law Brad Lewis, and her brother Rev. Terry Cranford(Dottie Sue). She is survived by daughters Amy Suzanne Lewis and Terri Lynne Runnels, grandchildren Lincoln Lewis (Tara) and Dakota Oney (Bleau), and great-grandsons Rowan and Duncan Oney. She is also survived by her brothers James Cranford (Laura), Keith Cranford (Sang), her aunt - who was so close to her in age that they grew up more like sisters - Bobbie Bernardo (Manuel), and a host of nieces and nephews.

We will be honoring her life in two ways, because one just isn’t enough to encompass all that she was. A memorial service will be held on October 23rd beginning at 4pm at Mt. Paran Baptist Church. And November 25th will see her deeply loved, annual “Wednesday Night Before Thanksgiving” party melding with a big celebration of life gathering. It will begin at 4pm and we invite any and all to come share in this great tradition of hers. A tradition she carried on from her father, now crowned with new and deeper meaning. If you are unable to attend the Celebration of Life - or if you just want to celebrate her twice, like we do - please feel welcome to attend the memorial service.

Please keep her family, friends, and loved ones in your prayers at this time and take a moment to sign the online guestbook. In lieu of flowers we would love to see donations made to Haven Hospice.

Oct. 23rd Memorial Service - Mt. Paran Baptist Church, Branford, FL, 32008

Nov 25th Celebration of Life - 598 South State Road 349, Branford, FL, 32008