Laura Craft

Laura Etta Craft, 71, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2003, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

Laura was born May 1, 1931, at Neelys Landing, daughter of Fred and Lucille Hitchcock Medlock. She and Junior Craft were married June 25, 1948.

A loving wife and mother, Laura farmed with Junior many years in the New Bethel community. She was a lifelong member of New Bethel Baptist Church near Pocahontas, where she played piano, formerly served as G.A. director, church clerk, nursery director, and WMU president. She was also active in the former Neelys mission and a former member of Pocahontas Homemakers Club.

Laura's many friends will fondly remember her for her generous heart.

Loving survivors include her husband of 54 years; two sons and daughters-in-law, Dwight and Cathy Craft and Fred and Julia Craft, all of Jackson; two daughters and sons-in-law, Pam and Larry Henderson of Thebes, Ill., Shelia and Steven Barks of White Rock, N.M.; a brother and sister-in-law, Rev. Robert "Bob" and Bernice Medlock of Sikeston; and a sister, Anna Mae Bullard of Jackson.

Also surviving are seven grandchildren, Eric, Joshua, Rachel and Caleb Craft, Thomas, Trisha and Travis Barks; and a great-grandson, Nick Palen.

Friends may call at McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson from 4 to 8 p.m. today, and Thursday after 10 a.m. at New Bethel Baptist Church.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the church, with Bros. Thomas Bray and John Rhodes officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to New Bethel Cemetery Fund.