ROANOKE RAPIDS - Judge Dwight Little Cranford, 75, of Roanoke Rapids, died Wednesday, March 12, 2008, at Halifax Regional Medical Center in Roanoke Rapids, following a prolonged illness.

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Dwight was born in 1932 in Albermarle, to the late Lacy and Fannie Cranford. He graduated from Albermarle High School in 1950. He received his undergraduate and Juris Doctorate degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1954 and 1960, respectively. From 1954 to 1957, Dwight served honorably as a first lieutenant in the United States Army.

In 1960, Dwight was admitted to the North Carolina State Bar. Additionally, he was licensed in 1961 to practice in the federal courts of the Eastern District of North Carolina and in 1966, to argue before the United States Supreme Court.

Following his admission to the State Bar, Dwight engaged in the general practice of law, beginning his career with the firm of Allsbrook, Benton and Knott and later establishing the firm of Cranford and Whitaker.

In 1982, he served as a member of the Judicial Nominating Committee for Superior Court Judges and from 1988 to 1992, he served as a State Bar Councilor.

In 1992, Dwight was elected District Court Judge for Halifax County, a position he held for eight years. In 1993, he graduated from the National Judicial College at the University of Nevada. The next year, he was certified as a Juvenile Court Judge in North Carolina. In 2000, Gov. Jim Hunt appointed Dwight Superior Court Judge for Halifax County. He was elected to the position in 2002. An accomplished and respected jurist, Dwight holds the distinction of never having been reversed on appeal. In 2004, Dwight retired from the bench and returned to the general practice of law, joining the firm of Chichester and Walker.

Dwight was an active member of his community, having served as a president for the Halifax County Kiwanis Club, the North Carolina Symphony Society and the Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce. He was also a member of the Roanoke Rapids Planning Board. He served as the chairman of the Halifax County Democratic Party in 1984 and as a precinct chairman from 1982 to 1984. For 40 years, Dwight, a dedicated member of First Presbyterian Church in Roanoke Rapids, taught Sunday school and for 30 years he served as an elder of the church.

Dwight was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend. He is survived by his wife, Lee McCarter Cranford, whom he was wed in 1959; his children, Collins C. Roux of Marietta, Ga., and Scott M. Cranford of Conover; his three grandchildren, Carter, Sarah Catherine and Mackenzie Roux; his son-in-law, Rob Roux; his daughter-in-law, Melanie S. Cranford; and many cherished friends.

The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m., Friday, March 14, at Wrenn, Clarke & Hagan Funeral Home in Roanoke Rapids, which is handling the arrangements.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, March 15, at First Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. Jane Love officiating. Burial will follow in Cedarwood Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 16 East Fifth St., Roanoke Rapids NC 27870 or to Home Health and Hospice of Halifax, 1229 Julian R. Allsbrook Highway, Roanoke Rapids NC 27870.