Mary Joan Cranford March 13, 1932 – December 29, 2020 Mary Joan Cranford of Auburn was born in East Lansing, Michigan on March 13, 1932 and passed away at her home on December 29, 2020. She was 88 years old and is survived by her husband, Norman Bayne Cranford. The two met and married at the Oak Park Independent Living facility in Auburn. When the two met, Mary Joan was already a mother, a grandmother, and a great grandmother. She came to Alabama from Michigan to live and work near her oldest son, Brian Briggs and his family. She is survived in the Auburn area by her loving husband of 12 years, Norman Bayne Cranford, her son Brian Briggs, daughter-in-law Kathe Briggs and granddaughter Amy Briggs. Others across the country who will cherish her memory include granddaughter Lisa Briggs Potter, husband Daniel Potter and great-grandson Tony Potter (New Meadows, Idaho); grandson Erik Briggs and great-grandchildren Julia and Carson Briggs (Lansing, Michigan). Surviving siblings include: her beloved sister Sue Ellen Johnson-Phillippe, who shared a birthday with Mary Joan, and her husband Jim Phillippe; brothers Warren (Bud) Atkins, Charles (Chuck) Atkins and David Atkins. She was preceded in death by her parents, Janette McMaster Atkins and Warren Atkins, first husband Jon Briggs, son David Briggs, grandson Tyler Briggs, sisters Catherine Moore-Blumer and Anne Palacios. For the health and safety of our loved ones and community, services will be performed later in 2021 as the pandemic recedes. In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations please be made to: the East Alabama Medical Center Foundation special fund to provide meals for frontline COVID staff (https://eamcfoundation8686.thankyou4caring.org/covid-19-relief) or to St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Parish, 1100 N. College Street, Auburn AL 36830.