W. David McCranie, 64, of Fitzgerald, Georgia died Saturday, February 26, 2011 at Dorminy Medical Center in Fitzgerald.
Funeral services will be held 11 A.M., Tuesday March 1, 2011 at the First Baptist Church of Fitzgerald with Dr. Mike Ruffin officiating. Interment will follow in the Frank Cemetery, Irwin County. The family will receive friends from 6-8 Monday evening at the funeral home in Fitzgerald.
Mr. McCranie was born April 7, 1946 in Irwin County, Georgia to the late Samuel Clauye McCranie and Lorene Alligood McCranie Rogers. Following the death of his father, he was raised by his mother and adoptive father, Murphey Rogers. He was a 1964 graduate of Irwin County High School and received his Bachelor’s Degree from Valdosta State College in 1969. Mr. McCranie served in the Air Force National Guard. He was former insurance agent with Rogers Insurance and worked as manager for the former Irwin Federal Savings and Loan. He was elected Chairman of the Irwin County Commission in 1993. He was a retired County Manager having served as administrator for Appling, Bryan, and Ben Hill Counties. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Fitzgerald and the Sportsmen’s Sunday School Class. Mr. McCranie was an Eagle Scout and coached his children in little league for the Irwin County Recreation Department. An avid outdoorsman, he loved hunting, playing golf, and frog-gigging.
He is survived by his wife of 41 years: Julie J. McCranie of Fitzgerald; sons and daughters-in-law: Matt & Jenny McCranie of Fitzgerald and Sam & Laura-Lee McCranie of Perry; daughter and son-in-law: Molly & Mike Phillips of Columbus; six grandchildren: William McCranie, Parker Phillips, Jackson McCranie, Rhodes McCranie, Murphey McCranie, and Olivia Phillips; brother and sister –in-law: Clauye & Hazel McCranie of Ocilla; aunt: Joyce Dale Roy of Danville, KY; uncle: George William “Bill” Rogers of Columbia, SC; as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
The family suggests those desiring to send memorials in lieu of flowers may send them to the Alapaha Area Boy Scouts, c/o Charles Benoit, 126 Robin Ridge, Fitzgerald, GA 31750 or to the First Baptist Church of Fitzgerald, P O Box 367, Fitzgerald, GA 31750 or to the American Heart Association, c/o Shirley Coxen, 610 S Lee Street, Fitzgerald, GA 31750.