Evelyn B. Craft

EVELYN B. CRAFT, 96
Loving Mother

LAKELAND - Evelyn Brannan Craft passed away peacefully at her Lakeland home surrounded by her loving family and devoted caregivers on Tuesday evening, March 27, 2018. She was 96 years old.
My Mother was born on April 15, 1921, to George and Jesse Brannan in Inskip, Tennessee, and 6 weeks later the family moved to Lakeland, Florida. She met her soon to be husband, JB 'Jake' Craft, Jr., in 1938 at the Lakeland roller skating rink and they were married on August 4, 1940. My father served 3 1/2 years in Persia during WWII but once he returned home, they knew it was time to start a family. Their son Ronnie was born in 1947 and their daughter Brenda in 1949. Family meant everything to them.

My Mother lived her life through God's word. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church where she was very involved in the MYF and was a member of the Homebuilders Sunday School Blass where she frequently taught lessons. Mother's entire life centered around God and her family. When there were concerns or needs of family and friends, mother became a 'Prayer Warrior' since we always knew she had a 'direct line' to God.

In her free time, she loved to study her bible, knit, read and solve word puzzles. She never met a stranger and was loved by everyone whose life she touched. She was absolutely the most loving, devoted and caring mother a child could ever have...and I am so grateful and honored that she was my Mother.

She is survived by her loving daughter Brenda C. Craft, her wonderful granddaughter, Jennifer Batson, and her precious great-grandson Matthew Jake Batson, as well as her former daughter-in-law Lee Craft, all of Lakeland and her daughter-in-law Maud Craft and step-grandson, Jon Fuchs of Tallahassee.
She was preceded in death by her devoted husband of 63 years, J.B. 'Jake' Craft, Jr., and her cherished son Ron 'Ronnie' Craft of Whitefish, Montana.

I would like to thank Nadege Masson and Violette Jean-Pierre from Helping Hand Nursing Services and Christine Sides from Comfort Keepers for their dedicated and tender loving care of my mother.
Funeral services will be held in the Sanctuary at the First United Methodist Church on Thursday, April 5, beginning with visitation at 1:30 p.m., followed by the service at 2:00 p.m. There will also be a graveside service at Lakeland Memorial Gardens for all who would care to attend.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in my mother's name to Lighthouse Ministries. (Lighthouse Ministries, P.O. Box 3112, Lakeland, FL., 33802.

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