MRS. MELINDA ROLAND MCCRANIE, age 61, of Chester, GA, died Friday, January 14, 2022, at Augusta University Medical Center. Funeral services will be held at 2:00PM Tuesday, January 18, in Stokes-Southerland Funeral Chapel, with Mr. Gary Ryals and Mr. John Dykes officiating, with interment at Parkerson Cemetary. Mrs. McCranie was born in Eustis, FL and raised in Eastman, GA, and a resident of Chester. Melinda was an honor graduate of the Dodge County High School Class of 1977. After graduation she worked for several years as an attendant at a local service station. In the early 1980’s she worked at Roper, Inc in McRae. She then went to truck driving school in the late 1980’s at Scott Community College in Kansas and was a part of a husband-and-wife trucking team where they drove long haul across the United States. She later went to work for Gilman Paper Company, where she would work for the next 26 years during name changes of Graphic Packaging and Mondi Bags USA, LLC. Melinda was a loving wife of 39 years, sister, and Aunt, who loved her family and was always there for them. She was a dedicated employee to her company and fellow employees. She loved animals and enjoyed taking care of her puppies and horses. She enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting, and spending time outdoors woodworking. She was the daughter of the late Marvin Roland and Rosie Mae Hendrix Roland and was preceded in death by her brother Roy C. Roland, her sister Shirley Amerson, and her daughter Shanalea Salaz. She is survived by her husband Chuck J. McCranie of Chester, and her four sisters: Janie Dykes of McRae, Joyce Taylor (George) of Gordon, Elaine Clark (Donald) of Alamo, and Wanda Allen (Donnie) of Dublin. Her aunts: Patricia Widener of Hampton, Barbara Coggins (David) of Fort Valley, and Velma Morris of Macon. Her uncles: Jimmy Hendrix (Joanne) of Juliet, Joel Hendrix (Bobbie Jo) of Riverdale, GA, and Abner Roland of Apopka, FL. Her mother-in-law Geraldine McCranie of Eastman. And her brother-in-law and sisters-in-law: Harvey McCranie (Tra) of Douglasville, GA, Vickie Moore (Brian) of Eastman, and Tajuana Haynes (Tommy) of Eastman. Along with numerous nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends in Stokes-Southerland Funeral Chapel from 12:30PM-2:00PM Tuesday, January 18. In addition to flowers, contributions can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org.