From the Franklin County Optic-Herald
Franklin County lost one of her noblest and most beloved women when
“Aunt Angie” Cranford passed away last Sunday night at the home of her
daughter Mrs. C E Williamson. The funeral was held at the old family burying ground
at Cypress Monday afternoon, services being conducted by Bro. A E Bradbury of the Baptist Church. A host of old neighbors, relatives and friends
gathered there to pay the last tribute of respect. Angilyn
Balsora Sparks was born at Dadeville, Ala., July 11, 1846, to James Brooks Sparks and Mary Ann Cook, and came
to Texas when she was seven years old. She was married to
Spencer Harrison Shearer, Jr. in 1867 in Titus County, and to this union five
children were born, one son and four daughters, Jesse Clarence, Mary Edmona, Ellen Gertrude (Nellie), Sarah Louise (Louie) and
Fannie, the son dying in infancy. The surviving daughters are: Mrs. Mary E.
Hill, Mrs. Nellie Barnes and Mrs. Louie Williamson; one daughter, Mrs. Fannie
Cone preceded her seventeen years ago. She was left a widow in 1879 and was
married to John White Cranford in 1885, and to this union was born one child,
Mrs. Effie Sparks.