Paula Jo Cranford

Our beloved Mother, Paula Cranford of Garland, Texas went to be with our Lord and Savior on Sunday, December 21, 2025.

Paula was born in Mansfield, Arkansas on October 18, 1938, to Joel & Emma Lois Mannon, but spent most of her childhood in Tucson, Arizona. At a young age, she learned to sew and made much of her own clothing like the dress she was wearing when she caught the eye of a young Airman from Cochran, Georgia named James Arlin Cranford in 1954. They married on January 20, 1957, and started their life in Gallup, New Mexico but then moved to Garland, Texas in 1970 to settle permanently.

Paula worked for several companies such as Sears, Navajo Freight Lines, and the US Dept of Energy over the years performing secretarial and administrative assistant duties but most of her career was spent at DSC/Alcatel/Nokia from 1984 until her retirement in 2016.

Mom loved to talk to people and would strike up conversations wherever she went. She was a very generous, compassionate person and enjoyed giving to various charities to help others. Paula loved to attend her children’s and grandchildren’s various sporting events, and she was a big fan of college and professional football. Her favorite pastime was reading and during her spare time, you could most often find her curled up on the couch with a blanket on her lap, a book (or Kindle) in her hand, sipping on a cup of coffee or spiced tea.

Paula was preceded in death by her son Jimmy, parents Joel & Emma Lois, brother Perry, and grandson Austin.

Paula is survived by her husband Jim Cranford of Garland, Texas, children Jody El-Assadi of Garland, Texas, Daniel (& Sue) Cranford of Lewisville, Texas, Cara (& Eddie) Richardson of McKinney, Texas, Phyllis Donohoe of Alba, Texas, Meredith (& James) Young of Trenton, Texas, as well as 15 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren, siblings Phyllis (& Bob) Beilue of Dallas, Texas, Ronnie (& Carol) Mannon of Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, and Donna Mannon of Centennial, Colorado, all of whom will never forget the love she brought to their lives.

Paula will be laid to rest on Monday, January 5, 2026, at 2:00pm in Santa Fe, New Mexico in the Santa Fe National Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, donations to your favorite charity or to the Santa Fe National Cemetery in her name are appreciated.