Willie Lee Craig

Published 6:44 pm Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Willie Lee Craig, age 85, was the youngest child born of union of the late E.B. and Louise B. Craig. He was preceded in death by 12 siblings, 9 sisters and 3 brothers, Maggie Craig Battle, Sophie Craig Ellis, Ida Lee Craig Issac, Clara Craig Irby, Viola Craig Thomas, Annie Mae Craig Johnson, Estelle Craig, Laura Craig Kynard, Bessie Craig Williams, Starling Craig, Reverend Willie Craig (also known as Uncle Sonny Boy), and Jerry Craig.

He was born on September 16, 1929 in Orrville, Alabama (Dallas County). At an early age, he accepted Christ. Mr. Craig was a faithful member of Green Street Missionary Baptist Church for more than 51 years, where he served as a choir member and President of the Green Street Missionary Baptist Church Male Chorus. He later moved his membership to Greater New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, where he was a faithful member for 10 years, served in both choirs, and participated in church programs and activities, until his transition on Wednesday, November 5, 2014 at the VA Hospital in Montgomery, Alabama.

Mr. Craig served in the military, the United States Army for 2 years and Air Force for 21 years and was a Vietnam and Korean War Veteran. He was employed for several years with Dallas County and at the United States Postal Service where he retired after 22 years of service.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 14, 2014 at Greater Hope Missionary Baptist Church with Reverend Earnest L. Colvin officiating. The body will lie in state at the church from 9:00 a.m. until funeral hour with Lewis Brothers Funeral Home directing. As a Vietnam and Korean War Veteran, interment for Mr. Craig will be at the Alabama National Cemetery (National Veterans Cemetery) in Montevallo, Alabama.

Mr. Craig enjoyed recounting to his family members the experiences of his life. He leaves to cherish his memories special, devoted, loving, and caring family and friends: Sarah Carter Craig of Selma, Alabama, three daughters, Geraldine Tutt of Bessemer, Alabama, Cheryl Craig Taylor of Montgomery, Alabama, and Attorney and Award-Winning Writer (author and poet) Vicki R. Craig, Esq. of Selma, Alabama, four grandchildren, Kevin Craig Harris of Dallas, Texas, Corey Steven Tutt (Stacy) of Mohegan Lake, New York, Andrea Rene Craig of Montgomery, Alabama, and Katrina Taylor of Montgomery, Alabama, eight great grandchildren, Chloe Giles of Atlanta, Georgia, Zarina Voltz of Wetumpka, Alabama, Kimberly Rochelle Taylor of Montgomery, Alabama, Simya D’ Andrea Nelson of Montgomery, Alabama, Jayden Isaiah Craig of Montgomery, Alabama, Jornan Christopher Groce of Montgomery, Alabama, Nichols Steven Tutt of Mohegan Lake, New York, and Ebba Nichole Tutt of Mohegan Lake, New York, Mrs. Bernice Ward of Marion, Alabama, Mrs. Margaret Burch (familial friend) of Montgomery, Alabama, co-workers, Mr. Thomas Burch, Rev. B.J. Pugh (TJ), and Mr. Carl Cotton of Montgomery, Alabama, and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.