Obituary of Elaine Craig

Funeral services for Elaine Craig, 63, Leverett's Chapel are scheduled for  1:00 pm, Thursday, November 12, at the Laird Hill Baptist Church with the Reverend Edwin Findley officiating. Burial will be in the Overton City Cemetery, under the direction of Cottle-Pearson Funeral Home, Overton. Mrs. Craig died Tuesday, November 10, 2009 from Lou Gehrig's Disease at her residence. She was born September 14, 1946, in Wayne, Michigan to the late Leon and Ilena Vick Messer. She moved to Leverett's Chapel from Gresham 12 years ago. She received her degree as a Registered Nurse from Amarillo College and was employed at East Texas Medical Center, Tyler for 16 years. Mrs. Craig was a member of the Laird Hill Baptist Church. Mrs. Craig was also a member of the Red Hat Society where she was Queen Mother of the "Wanna-Bees".  She enjoyed league bowling with the Cinderella's.  She and her husband loved to travel in their motor home and ride four wheelers with their close friends. She was a survivor of lung cancer since 2001. She always said, "God is good all the time and all the time God is good." Mrs. Craig married Lee O. Craig, in Tyler, December 25, 1997. Survivors include her husband, Lee O. Craig, Leverett's Chapel, a son and daughter-in-law, Glenn and Tracy Keelin, Mobeetie; two daughters and a son-in-law, Michele Wood, Wichita Falls, and Nita Sue and Tommy Erwin, Lindale; four stepsons and their wives, Alvin and Andria Craig, Tyler, Scottie and Erica Craig, Liberty City, Mark and Wanda Craig, Leverett's Chapel and Toby Craig, Kilgore; nine grandchildren, Andria Keelin, Megan Keelin, Marissa Keelin, Julie Keelin, Braden Keelin, Nicole Keelin, Candice Branum, Cassidy Branum, and Hunter Wood; step grandchildren, Skyla, Korbin, Josh, Heather, Mariah, Jordan, and Allie; and two great-grandchildren, Cameren and Jesse; eight sisters, Patricia Messer, Anna Messer, Roberta Burson, Bulinda Messer, Sam Depue, Kay Woodward, Janice Scales, and Pam Ratliff; a brother, Michael Messer; and her step mother, Emily Messer; and a host of friends and coworkers who she loved dearly. Pallbearers will be Alvin Craig, Toby Craig, Scottie Craig, Mark Craig, Billy Scales, and Jerry Shaddix. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm, Wednesday, November 11.