James Smoot Cranfill, 77, of East Bend, NC, passed away at the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home in Winston-Salem, NC, on Saturday, September 2, 2023. He was born in Lumberton, NC, to the late Rebecca and M. Smoot Cranfill.

Smoot was a kindhearted man who gave the best bear hugs around. He liked sci-fi and hard rock, and he had a sense of humor that remained even after he entered hospice care at his home last fall. His family is grateful to everyone at Trellis Supportive Care (of which the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home is a part) for their tireless support throughout Smoot's final months.

Mr. Cranfill served in the US Navy from 1969-1973. He was stationed at Naval Pharmacies in San Diego and New Orleans and was named Sailor of the Month in 1972.

Smoot graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1975. During his time at UNC, he was vice president of Phi Delta Chi, a professional fraternity for pharmacy students. He retired as a pharmacist about ten years ago.

Mr. Cranfill was also a Freemason—as was his father and paternal grandfather before him—for over fifty years. For most of that time, he was a member of Old Town Lodge in Winston-Salem, NC.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Rebecca (Becky) and M. Smoot Cranfill, both of Lumberton, NC; and his wife of forty-six years, Deborah Cranfill, who went to be with the Lord on August 20, 2023.

He is survived by a daughter, Catherine Cranfill, of the home; a cousin, Susan Phillips Moss, of Lumberton, whom he always considered his sister; and his extended family and friends.

A graveside service will be held at Meadowbrook Cemetery in Lumberton, NC, on Saturday, September 9, 2023 at 2:00 PM with Rev. David Hodge officiating. Masonic Memorial Rites will be accorded by members of St. Alban's Lodge of Lumberton. The family will receive friends after the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Alban's Lodge #114 A.F. & A.M. Building Fund, P.O. Box 904, Lumberton, NC 28359; Old Town Lodge #751, P.O. Box 14, Bethania, NC 27010; Trellis Supportive Care, 101 Hospice Lane, Winston-Salem, NC 27103; the American Cancer Society at https://donate.cancer.org/?campaign=honormemorialpage&lang=en or a favorite charity of one's choice.