Nelva Rhae Clark Cranford

Nelva Rhae Clark Cranford, 93, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on July 4, 1932, in Vick, Louisiana to Dayton and Beatrice Williams Clark. She grew up in Effie, Louisiana.

Nelva graduated from Louisiana College in 1952 and dedicated 41 years of her life to teaching. She retired from the East Baton Rouge School Board in 1993, leaving a lasting impact on countless students. Nell moved to Lake Charles in 1954 to teach at Eastwood Elementary. Her friends set her up on a blind date with her future husband, William Leivy Cranford. After they were married, they lived as far away as Alaska due to him serving in the USAF.

Nelva had a passion for sweets, she loved cooking and enjoyed collecting recipes. She was a faithful member of the United Methodist Church. She found great joy in spending time and caring for her family, grandchildren, great grandchildren (who affectionally known as Grandma or GiGi). She was known for her kind loving spirit and to always have a beautiful smile on her face.

Those left to cherish her memory include her daughters, Sherrie Mevis and Gwen Edwards (Rodney); her grandchildren, Matthew Mevis (Elli), Paul Mevis, Mary Sneddon (Steven), Andrew Edwards (Tara), and Daniel Edwards (Kristi); her great-grandchildren, Addysen and Ty Edwards, Megan Sneddon, William, Anna and Luke Edwards, Christopher, Harmony and Sonia Harris. She also leaves behind her cherished cousins, nieces and nephews from “back home”.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, William Leivy Cranford; her parents, Dayton and Beatrice Williams Clark; grandson, Benjamin Mevis; brothers, Edmund Dale Clark, Bobby Wayne Clark, and Dayton A. Clark.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday March 31, 2026 at Johnson Funeral Home at 12:00pm. Visitation will begin on Tuesday from 10:00am till time of service. She will be laid to rest at Highland Memory Gardens.

Pallbearers will be her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to the staff of Harbor Hospice, with a special thanks to Nurse Bonnie who was so sweet to Mom in her last few weeks.