of Little Rock, AR
October 7, 1941 - May 21, 2010
Martha Annette Wright Craig, 68, formerly of Benton, passed away May 21, 2010 as Heaven opened its doors wide to receive her. She was truly a fallen angel. She did everything throughout her life-with poise, grace, elegance, determination, and with a positive outlook and a sustaining faith that reassured not only herself but countless others. Her words she often spoke that "God has a plan" helped guide her valiantly. She was gallant, brave and faithful throughout her entire life to the very end where she was surrounded by her loving family and a host of dear friends. Truly Heaven is rejoicing as it has gained yet another angel.
She made life a joy to live everyday for herself and others as she maintained her priorities of Faith, Family and Friends.
Annette loved music and was known for her impromptu singing and piano performances. She often incorporated this passion for music into her careers at Timex (1974-'85) where she treasured her close friends she met there and kept till the day she passed; at Pleasant Hills Retirement Center ('86-'89) where she was the Activities Director and encouraged the entertaining talents of many residents there; and at the Arkansas Insurance Department ('90-2008) where she initiated many of the social functions. She cherished her friendships and her class reunions from the 1959 Benton High School class, and especially her "Rah-Rah" sisters.
Annette was an active member of Pleasant Valley Church of Christ. Her life was an example of her devotion to Him for so many others. She valued her "Garden Club" membership and the memories made with them. Annette loved her family dearly. She wanted nothing more than to create special memories with her children and grandchildren, always making the most of each moment with them. We will miss her dearly.
Annette was born October 7, 1941 at Benton, Arkansas, to Philip H. and E. Maxine Wright. She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Phillip; her mother, Maxine Wright of Benton; sons Jeff Craig of Little Rock, David Craig of Sherwood (Peggy), Jay Craig of Little Rock; daughters Susan Ramey of San Antonio, Texas (Lon) and Kim Simpson of Paragould (Shannon), her brother Stephen Wright of Texarkana and her sister-in-law Ouida Wright of Conway. She is survived by 7 grandchildren: Kirsten, Jordan, Chase, Cameron, Lauren, Ashley and Grant, and 2 bonus grandchildren, Adriane and Lindsey; a bonus great-grandchild, Keeley; and a beloved host of in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her father, Philip H. Wright of Benton, her brother, William (Bill) Wright of Conway, and bonus grandchild, Christa.
Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 25, at Pleasant Valley Church of Christ, with Mr. Nick Hamilton officiating. Interment will follow at New Rosemont Cemetery, Benton, Arkansas.
The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m., Monday, at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home, (501)224-8300.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Southern Christian Home, 100 W. Harding Street, Morrilton, Arkansas 72110, or The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 77 West Port Plaza, Suite 101, St. Louis, Missouri 63146.
Sign Guestbook
45 Condolence(s)
Jerry Harris
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Annette made each one of us a better person, she will truly be missed and her light will shine forever.
Sherry
Friday, May 28, 2010
My heart is saddened to hear the loss of a former co-worker, friend and confidant.
Annette was very loving and kind, comforting and compassinate.
She will always be remembered for touching my life and the lives of my children.
She will truly be missed, but she is rejoicing in Heaven, with smiles and hugs for everyone and singing her praises with a joyful and triumpt voice!
Doug Andrews
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Susan,
So sorry about your mom, I just found out today. Tell your family that everyone is in our prayers and sorry I missed the services.
Doug Andrews
Sharon Sullivan
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
I met Annette at a church outing at Hot Springs and we had lunch together. I found her to be one of the most loving and charming women I had met. At church she would always greet me with a wam hug and a big smile. She will be missed by me and many others.
Patricia Salazar
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
May God be with you Kim and your family in this hard time. Love ya.
Audrey Carroll
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
If tears could build a stairway,
And memories a lane,
I'd walk right up to Heaven
And bring you home again.
~Author Unknown
May God's love and grace comfort Annette's family, love one's and friends. She will be missed.
robin neal holmes
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
so sorry for your loss. please let jeff know that i tried to call and that i am praying for your family.
JIM ROLLER
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Dear Craig family
I am so sorry for your loss. We don't spend much time visiting with each other but the memories are many. Life has a way of sending us all in seperate directions but just know we haven't forgot about you all and we are sorry for your loss.
jim roller family
Angela Newby
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Kim,
I just want to say how truly sorry I am for you and your family on the loss of your mother. Everyone at OGMS is praying for all of you.
Carey (Taft) Hook
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Craig family, what a wonderful loving woman Annette was..I will remember how loving she was to everyone she met and what joy would fill a room with her in it.
I still giggle when I think back on a Mary Kay Convention that my mom(Dorothy) Bebe(moms cousin) and Annette and I went to.. We laughed so much I am surprised somebody did not end up with w hernia. What fun times we had when Annete would visit with my mom in Austin.
Annette you will be missed by many!!
May God always bless your family I will keep yall in my prayers during this time..I know it will be hard
.
Carey (Taft) Hook
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Craig family, what a wonderful loving woman Annette was..I will remember how loving she was to everyone she met and what joy would fill a room with her in it.
I still giggle when I think back on a Mary Kay Convention that my mom(Dorothy) Bebe(moms cousin) and Annette and I went to.. We laughed so much I am surprised somebody did not end up with w hernia. What fun times we had when Annete would visit with my mom in Austin.
Annette you will be missed by many!!
May God always bless your family I will keep yall in my prayers during this time..I know it will be hard
.
Scott & Renee Hanshaw
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Our prayers are with your family during this difficult time.
Michael Langford
Monday, May 24, 2010
Jeff and Mr Craig I'm sadden at the news of the loss of your Mom and Wife. Fond memories of the days in youth baseball. May God look over each member of the family and bless you both.
Kathy Stimpson
Monday, May 24, 2010
To Phillip & family, May God give you peace and comfort while you all adjust to the difference in your life's.
I worked with Annette at the Insurance Dept, I know she had some rough times and know that she is not going through that any more.
Your family is in my prayers.
Kathy
Liza (Freeman) Wright
Monday, May 24, 2010
Jay,
We extend our sympathy & ask for God's blessings and comfort.
Love,
Liza and Chris Wright
Tammy Hines
Monday, May 24, 2010
I will miss you Annette. You were always a very positive, uplifting person. You were a very good Christian person. I know now that you and Tony can talk about lots of things! It was always a joy to be around you and your family.
Love y'all.
Carol Fitzhugh
Monday, May 24, 2010
My life was blessed having grown up with Annette and Bill. I cherish my memories of these 2 wonderful, Christian fellow Salinetonians. They were both true friends, Christians, & such wonderful people to have had the honor to call my true friends. Though we were in different geographic locations during most of our adult life, it was as if we had never been apart when we were able to visit in the later years. We here on earth have truly lost such wonderful people, but we can county our blessings having known them.
Lisa
Monday, May 24, 2010
My thoughts and prayers are with youPhillip&your family at this most difficult time. I worked with Annette at the Insurance Dept she was a wonderful lady.
Rhonda Holloway
Monday, May 24, 2010
I am praying for God to comfort you and your family as only He can.
Jean Langford
Monday, May 24, 2010
Monday, May 24th
Friends and Family of Annette Craig,
My heart is very sad today at the news that brave Annette lost her battle with cancer. She was an amazing person; and I so enjoyed working with her for so many years at the Arkansas Insurance Department. She was so good at her flower arrangements and planning and implementing office celebrations for a variety of events. The last time I phoned her at home to see how she was doing (as I did from time to time) was just a few weeks before I retired from State Government in Little Rock (late February, 2010), she told me then that, despite the new cancer diagnosis, she was at peace. That memory is very comforting to me now. God bless you all. I wish for you hearts' ease. Please know how much she was loved and admired for her courage and grace by many friends and co-workers. Jean Langford; new address 11901 Pleasant Ridge Road, Apartment 612, Little Rock, AR 72223; cell phone 501-765-8464
Jim Copeland
Monday, May 24, 2010
Dear Kim and family,
From growing up with you, I know your mother loved her family. I am so sorry to hear that she passed away. I know she is missed greatly. But, we can all take comfort in the promise that one day we will all meet in eternity and will no longer know the pains of this life.
Larry O'Dell
Monday, May 24, 2010
Phillip and family:
Linda and I are so sorry for your loss. Annette was such a wonderful woman and a great friend to the O'Dell family. She always had a kind word for me personally, and I will always remember that and think of her fondly. I know she is singing with the angels.
James Frank
Monday, May 24, 2010
Kim and Family,
I am sorry for your loss. My hear, thoughts and prayers are with you.
James
Scott Hunter
Monday, May 24, 2010
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your mother. Our deepest sympathies from the Hunter family.
Sharon O'Dell Sledd
Monday, May 24, 2010
To Annette's Family,
My deepest condolences to all of you. Some of the best memories of my life is growing up across the street from the Craigs in the 1960s. They became my extended family. I have so many happy memories of just hanging out over at their house, babysitting the kids, and sitting at the dining room table talking with Annette. She was an unknowing role model for me. As a teenager, I wanted to grow up to be just like her. My grandmother, Ethel Clawson, lived with us and she absolutely adored Annette and considered her to be a daughter. How delighted she must now be to see Annette in Heaven! I have been honored and blessed to have known her. May God be with all of you in your sorrow and give you peace.
Love,
Sharon
Jeanie Rice
Monday, May 24, 2010
My heartfelt sympathy to the family. I had the opportunity to meet Annette thru Bill and Ouida and mostly knew her from sitting thru Bill's surgeries. My husband died from lymphoma 15 years ago. My thoughts and prayers are with your family on the loss of this special wife, daughter, mother, & friend.
Jeanie Rice
Susan Craig
Monday, May 24, 2010
Phillip, Jeff, David, Jay, Susan, and Kim - I am very sorry for your loss of a wife and mother. Annette was a very special person who touched many lives. She will truly be missed. I think of you all often and wish you peace during this difficult time. You are in my prayers.
Paula Melton
Monday, May 24, 2010
Kim & the Craig family, My deepest condolences to your family.
Roy and Keena Ridings
Monday, May 24, 2010
Our deepest sympathy.
Vanessa Dale
Monday, May 24, 2010
Dear Craig Family,
I am so sorry for your loss of such a wonderful lady. I worked with Annette at the Insurance Department and she was truly a great organizer for our events here. She always made it seem so easy and told me that I could do it, she was kind like that. I missed her friendly smile when she retired and I know she must be truly leaving an empty space in all of your hearts.
God be with you all and may the memories keep a smile in your hearts whenever you think of her.
Kristi Strohsahl -Lagasse
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Dear Kim and Family,
I speak of your family often ... childhood memories surface on many occasions. When I think of "family", I think of yours. What strong parental influences you all had growing up and how some wish they could have had the same. I remember your mom being a classy woman. Always dressed nice with her "bling" when getting home from work and then shucking all of that to don an apron to prepare a meal. I remember her playing the piano and singing .. I was mesmorized.
I, like many, have things about your mom that we will remember. You all are a blessed family. I pray that our God will continue to bless you with comfort and peace.
Love and prayers,
Kristi
Loraine Tatum
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Phillip and Family,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I first heard of her illness by reading it in Jay's magazine. You and your family have each other but it will never be the same again. L.M. has been gone six years and I think about him every day. He treasured you as such a good friend.
Always, when I think about Annette, I remember the pretty little dark haired girl that I went to church with at Market & Carpenter Streets (about 60 years ago).
May God be with you and your wonderful family.
Love,
Loraine Tatum
Shawn Woodson
Sunday, May 23, 2010
I knew her & her husband from days at Geyer Springs Church of Christ back in the early 1970s So it is sad to hear of her death. May God be with her & her family in this difficult time. My parents Ron& Regina (Scheller) Woodson also went to Geyer Springs. Also have a brother named Chris
Mary Ensey Cady
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Our prayers are with the Craig family during this great loss. Annette touched many lives. She will be missed but oh what memories she has left.
Mary & Wesley Cady
Stephanie Eubanks
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Thoughts and prayers go out to your family.
John & Joyce Christopher
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Although we did not know Annette, we want to add our sympathy and prayers to you and your family. We know she must have been a lovely person. We knew and loved her brother Bill & Ouida for many years.
Ed Roller
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Jay and Craig family, I am sorry for your loss. Mrs. Craig was an inspiration to many people she may not even realize. Heaven is blessed today in receiving such an angel.
Amy Mitchell Hargrove
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Dear Susan and Family,
You all are in my thoughts and prayers at this time. My heart goes out to you during this difficult time. Please know I think the world of your family and I pray for peace to be found in your hearts through God's grace.
Witlh love and prayers,
Amy Mitchell Hargrove
Jerri and Patrick McCrary
Saturday, May 22, 2010
What a beautiful lady. Jay, I am so sorry for the loss of your Mom. I know the love of your family and your faith in God will see you through this sad time. My thoughts and prayers are with you, your Dad and your family, She left a wonderful legacy.
God Bless You.
Terri Ayers
Saturday, May 22, 2010
I will truly miss Annette. My prayers are with your family.
sondra & dave fairchild
Saturday, May 22, 2010
well what can i say except that she gave it her all.in everything she did,was such a positive person all thru her illness.i will miss her,she always had time to make short visits by the store when she could just to say hi.she loved life and lived to the fullest.she packed alot in those last few years...heaven has another angel
for sure.
.
Kathy Standridge McGuire
Saturday, May 22, 2010
All my sincere and heartfelt sympathy to each of you. I befriended Jeff, Jay, Susan and Kim at differet times throughout my life and have great respect for your entire family. Please know that many will be lifting your family up in prayer.
Harley Brinkley
Saturday, May 22, 2010
He said "I go to prepare a place for you". We will miss you.
Tammy Sakall
Saturday, May 22, 2010
I'm sorry to hear of your family's loss. I wanted to send my condolences & prayers to you during this time of grief.
Tricia (Gibson) DeJong
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Dear Craig Family,
I was friends with Susan in High School. I never met Martha, but wanted to give my condolences. From reading her obituary, she sounded like a wonderful person. I hope you all can take comfort in her joy right now being with her Lord. God bless.