Mr. Emanuel Cranford, affectionately known as "Coach" of Chattanooga went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, October 23, 2018. He was a graduate of Booker T. Washington School and went to Florida A&M on a Track & Field Scholarship graduating with a B.S. degree in Health, Physical Education and Recreation.

He was preceded in death by his parents St. Augustine, Sr. and Gladys Cranford; sister, Doris Hollis, brother, St. Augustine, Jr, and nephew, Alfred Hollis.

After 30 years of teaching in both the City and Hamilton County School Systems which included Booker T. Washington High, Tyner Middle and Brainerd High where he was most noted for teaching health, driver's education, track & field, coaching football and basketball and served as a referee in all sports. Coach retired May 1988.

In September 1988 he started his career at Valley Hospital as an Activity Therapist remained for 21 years working with children and adults with mental and behavioral health issues. He retired August 2009.

Emanuel was a Chattanooga Sports Hall of Fame inductee, a Charter member of the 19 ^th Hole Golf Association serving in all positions. In 2017 he was inducted into Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. African American Achievers Hall of Fame and served on the Booker T. Washington School Reunion Steering Committee.

Survivors include his daughters Dr. Sharon Cannon, Cindy (Rick) Faucett, Tracy Dean all of Chattanooga; Melissa (Bill) Fikioris, Erdenheim, PA; sons, Emanuel (Sherry) Cranford, Jr., Cincinnati, OH, Jerry Dean, Cashiers, NC. Emanuel has 16 grandchildren, 28 great-children and 7 great-great grandchildren a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.

Visitation will be on Friday, October 26, 2018 from 6:00 p.m. and Saturday, October 27, 2018 from 11:00 a.m. until the service hour at 12:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Lakewood Memory Gardens East with his nephews serving as pallbearers and the 19 ^th Hole Golf Association serving as Honorary pallbearers.

Arrangements by Locally Owned and locally Operated, Brainerd Chapel of Ponders Funeral Home 4203 Brainerd Rd. Chattanooga, Tennessee 37411.  423-531-4002