Owen Jackson McCranie

Owen Jackson McCranie, 92, of Valdosta, died March 22, 2025 at his home after a period of declining health. He was under the care of Heart of Hospice. The McCranie family wishes to thank these dedicated professionals who provided for Owen’s care. We could not have managed without their loving-kindness and support.

Owen was born May 16, 1932 in Lowndes County, Georgia, a descendent of pioneer Dodge County families. He was the son of the late Joseph Andrew Jackson McCranie and Sara Etta Hendrix McCranie. His paternal grandparents were John Lewis McCranie and Eliza Jane Jones McCranie. His maternal grandparents were John William Hendrix and Etta Carruthers Stuckey Hendrix. He was married to the former Lyrice Emma Shiver (Mathis) on August 4, 1972 in Thomasville, Georgia.

Mr. McCranie was a Building Contractor, active in custom-built homes and apartment development. Owen was gifted with the ability to repair just about anything. After retiring in 1987, he spent his retirement years traveling and became an avid genealogist. Owen was an excellent researcher with an extensive home library. He had a remarkable knowledge of his family history which he was always happy to share with others. He was a veteran of the U. S. Army, serving in the Korea War. He was stationed overseas on Okinawa.

Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Lyrice Shiver McCranie, his step-son , Dr. David E. Mathis and his wife, Dr. Allison Scheetz Mathis; two step-granddaughters, Taylor Nicole Mathis Ramirez (Bryan) and Morgan Lindsay Mathis, all of Macon, and a son from a previous marriage, Randy Jackson McCranie and a granddaughter, Christy Patricia McCranie, both of Valdosta. He is also survived by two nieces, Donna Lovingood (Larry) and Cheryl Smith (Dennis), and three nephews, Ronnie Golding (Gianna), Larry Rodgers (Dawn), and Allen McCranie.

Mr. McCranie was preceded in death by his sisters, Margaret M. Arnold, Mildred M. Weeks and Beatrice M. Rodgers, his brother, John D. McCranie, and two brothers-in-law, Francis Arnold and Jimmy Rodgers and a sister-on-law, Jeanette McCranie.

Funeral services will be held at 3pm on Friday, March 28, 2025 in the chapel of the Carson McLane Funeral Home. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Owen will be buried in the McCranie Family Plot at Sunset Hill Cemetery, Valdosta. There will be no graveside committal service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to organizations that you hold near to your heart.

Online condolences may be conveyed on Owen's obituary page at www.mclanecares.com.

Carson McLane Funeral Home