Rancher (Doc) Craven Preddy, 97, passed away peacefully on July 27th, 2025. Doc was born on March 21st, 1928, in Wilton, North Carolina. He was a devoted husband to Wilma, his loving wife of 73 years, and a wonderful father to his three daughters. He is survived in life by his wife, Wilma, and his daughters, Cheryl Annette Hobgood (Jimmy) and Michelle Dorsey Smith (Tim) and is preceded in death by his daughter Cynthia Rose Spivey (Rick). He was a proud grandfather of nine grandchildren and great-grandfather to six great-grandchildren.

Doc and Wilma met during their early school years at Wilton School. After going off to college and attending Wake Forest College, he married the love of his life in 1953 on a  beautiful March day. After the ceremony, they packed their car and started their cross country drive to California before heading to Hawaii so that Doc could start his service. He was a proud veteran who served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. After serving in the Navy, Doc and Wilma moved to Arlington, Virginia to start their life together raising a family. All three girls were raised in Franconia, Virginia where the family were active members of Franconia Baptist Church.

After retiring from government service, he moved his family back to North Carolina and settled in Oxford. He worked at Granville Hospital as a finance officer for a few years before retiring for good.

During his time in Oxford, he and the family joined Oxford Baptist Church. As one of the oldest long-standing members of Oxford Baptist Church, he served as a deacon, Sunday school teacher and served on many committees and held leadership roles over the years. While not in the choir, he was a joyful congregation singer during worship every Sunday morning.

He enjoyed spending quality time with his family and friends and spent many hours outside tending to his garden. His green thumb was truly a gift from God.

He will be remembered as a family man, whose faith, kindness, and gentle nature touched the hearts of so many. We have been blessed to have him in our lives for so many years and he will be forever missed.

A visitation and funeral service will be held on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at Oxford Baptist Church. Visitation will be held at 11 am in the Family Life Center and then the funeral service will be at 12 pm in the sanctuary. The burial will be held following the service at Elmwood Cemetery.

We welcome others to join us in remembering his life. Donations can be made in his honor to Oxford Baptist Church.

The Preddy family is being assisted by Sossamon Funeral Home, 106 Clement Ave, Oxford, NC 27565.