Estes Wilton Craig

Estes Wilton Craig

Estes Wilton Craig, 91, of Paragould, died Friday, Sept. 4, 2015, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis. Mr. Craig was a veteran of World War II and a member of the America Legion. He married the former Bonnie Lou Blankenship on Jan. 20, 1947. He and his wife were cotton and soybean farmers. They raised their children while living in Cardwell, Mo., until moving to Paragould in 1978.

Mr. Craig was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather. He leaves a legacy for his family that few men could attain. He was a gentle man and a great role model for all that knew him. He would give the shirt off his back helping anyone in need. He only saw the good in people and treated everybody with kindness and compassion. He was a one-of-a-kind man and will truly be missed. Mr. Craig was a member of Walnut Street Church of Christ.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James Virgil Craig and Onie Mae Jackson; sisters, Gertrude Wood and Jessie Higginbotham; brothers, Homer, Alvin, Vester, Carl and Chester Craig.

Survivors include his wife, Bonnie Lou Blankenship Craig, Paragould; daughter, Jerri Carole Craig Stutts (Nick), Manila; sons, Carl Estes Craig (Carla), Cookeville, Tenn., Joe Allen Craig (Sherry), Murfreesboro, Tenn.; sister, Jean Grady, Cardwell, Mo.; grandchildren, Stephanie Stutts Rapert (Jerry), Jonesboro, Jennifer Stutts Jackson (Rodney), Lake City, Caylie Craig, Murfreesboro, Tenn., Kelsey Craig, Caleb Craig, Karilynn Craig, Caitryn Craig, Claire Craig, Cookeville, Tenn., Matt Craig, Syracuse, N.Y., Jake Craig, Murfreesboro, Tenn.; great-grandchildren, Kourtnei Jackson Qualls, Chase Jackson, Lake City, Abby Rapert, Jeb Rapert, Jude Rapert, Jonesboro; great-great-grandchild, Ella Ruth Qualls, Lake City; great-great-granddaughter to be born in January 2016.

Visitation was from 11 a.m. until noon Monday at Heath Funeral Home in Paragould. Funeral services were at noon at Heath Colonial Chapel with Dwight Harrison and John Shadowens officiating. Burial followed at Cardwell Cemetery.

Memorials may be sent to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Online guestbook: www.heathfuneralhome.com.