Cookie Ann Ward Cranston, age 71, of Mount Gilead and formerly of Marion, went to be with the Lord and was reunited with her husband, Donald, Sunday evening, April 17, 2016, at the Morrow County Hospital.
On December 12, 1944, Cookie was born in Jackson, Ohio, one of three children of the late Benson and Emma Jean (Johnson) Ward.
For several years, Cookie worked as a nurse’s aid until she met and married the love of her life, Donald Lee Cranston, on February 24, 1974. From this point forward, she focused her life on caring for her husband and children. They cherished their thirty eight years of marriage together. He preceded her in death on May 25, 2012.
A woman of faith, Cookie enjoyed attending the Edison Enterprise Baptist Church in Edison, and formerly she was a member of the Bible Wesleyan Church of Marion.
With a love for music, one of Cookie’s favorite pastimes was singing. She especially loved singing in a group with her sister, Noralyn, and four friends. Cookie was the lead of the group. She also enjoyed making crafts as gifts for her family and friends.
Cookie will always be remembered for her huge smile, and for her overwhelming love for her family, which often brought her to tears.
Left to cherish her memory are her three daughters: Pamela Cranston Ritchey, Penny Cranston, and Paula (Billy Charles) Thacker, all three of Edison; six grandchildren: Katarina Burns, Jayden Ritchey, Cody Honaker, Tyler Thacker, Austin Thacker, and Hunter Charles; a brother, Chris Ward of Alabama; a sister, Noralyn Jellison of Cincinnati, OH; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Cookie was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Cranston; parents: Benson and Emma Jean Ward; their infant son, Patrick Cranston; and precious granddaughter, Cheyanne Ritchey.
Her family will greet friends from 5 – 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 19th, at the Snyder Funeral Home, Craven Chapel, 67 N. Main St., Mount Gilead. Services honoring her life will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, at the Edison Enterprise Baptist Church, 3055 St. Rt. 95 W, Edison, with Pastor Ed Colegrove officiating. Burial will follow in Bryn Zion Cemetery in Mount Gilead.
Memorial contributions may be made to Williams Syndrome Program, Nisonger Center, and they may be sent to the care of the funeral home.
Snyder Funeral Homes of Mount Gilead are honored to have been chosen to serve Cookie’s family and your condolences may be expressed to them by visiting www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com.
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