Donald (Don) C. Craft, of Ahoskie, NC was welcomed into the presence of His Lord on February 12, 2016. He was surrounded by his family when he passed away. He was 83 years old.
Don is survived by his wife Elizabeth Washburn Craft of 61 precious years. He is also survived by son Donnie Craft and his wife Wanda, son Jimmy Craft and his wife Mindy and daughter Suzanne Sharpe and her husband Dave; his 10 grandchildren; his 3 great-grandchildren and his sister Lucile Hampton of Smithfield, UT. He is preceded in death by his parents Herbert and Esther Craft of Greene County and Raleigh, NC, and his sister Hazelene McGowan of Media, PA.
Don was born on August 26, 1932 in Walstonburg, Greene County, NC to Herbert and Esther Craft. He graduated from Pfeiffer Junior College and earned his Bachelors of Agricultural Engineering degree from North Carolina State University in 1955. Don began his career with John Deere Co upon graduation. In 1961 he moved his family to Ahoskie where they made their home and raised their children. He owned H&V Equipment Company in Ahoskie until 1983, served as a Hertford County Commissioner and served as Hertford County Manager from 1990 to 2005 when he retired.
Don’s faith was so important to him. He, and his family, joined Ahoskie United Methodist Church in 1961 and he was active as a choir member, Sunday school teacher and various other leadership roles both locally and in the greater UMC District and Conference levels as long as his health allowed.
And as much as anything, Don was a life-long Wolfpacker through and through.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be Tuesday, February 16, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. at Ahoskie United Methodist Church, with a visitation to follow in the church’s fellowship hall. Reverend Jerry Cribb will officiate the ceremony. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Don’s life.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to Ahoskie United Methodist Church, PO Box 665, Ahoskie, NC 27910.
Mr. Craft was an amazing man and such an asset to the United Methodist Church. I am so sorry to hear about your loss. May God be with you.
So sorry to hear of your loss. Mr. Don was such a kind man. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Dear Mrs. Craft, Donnie, Jimmy, Suzanne, and all the family, I am just now getting this news and will not be home in time to attend the funeral. I would have wanted to be there and tell you in person how sorry I am for this very great loss. Mr. Craft was a fine person and an important part of my life growing up in Ahoskie. I particularly remember his singing “For God So Loved the World” in the choir at Ahoskie Methodist. Mama especially loved it too. I am thankful to have known him. God bless you all. With love, Linda
Donnie and family
Sorry to hear about your Dad passing. He a great man and I know that my dad thought a lot of him. My thoughts are with you, your Mom, Jimmy, and Suzanne
I did not know Mr Craft’s extended family, but I had the great pleasure of working with Mr Craft when he was the County Manager, I began my employment in 1987 and he came on board not long after that. He alway made you feel welcome , even though he was in upper management he never made you feel you were any less important. He always greeted me with a smile when i saw him and he was a great asset to Hertford County. I also had the priviledge of sharing some good memories when he attended and participated in the Candlelight Christmas Tour in Murfreesboro, as I worked the spot across from the Blacksmith Shop where he always liked to hang out. I am truly sorry for your family and I know he will be greatly missed, he was a special man to a lot of people and of that you can be proud. My sympathy to all of the family.
So sorry to hear of your loss. Thoughts and prayers are with you
We are so sorry for your loss. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers as you go through this difficult time. We pray that you are comforted by the memories of a wonderful life and the knowledge that he is now with the Lord…happy and pain free.
Mr Craft was a great man with a kind heart. Don was County Manger when Johnnie became County Commissioner. He and Liz took Johnnie and I under their wings and showed us the ropes but most of all we became traveling buddy’s. Don always made sure I was taken care of, especially when Liz couldn’t go with us. He was like a Father to me and give me advice if I needed it. Thank you for the memories, I will always treasure them.
Mr. Craft was a great man. Living with the Craft family for a semester during my senior year of high school was a wonderful time for me. My prayers are with you all!
Mr Don Craft, there are not enough kind and polite words to say about such a wonderful person. I had the privilege of working with at two different jobs. I worked for him at H & V Equipment from 1975 to 1984. I was there until one week before my daughter was born. He was so kind to me all of the 9 1/2 years I worked for him. His wife and him both were so good and kind hearted to me and all my co -workers. He was truly the best boss ever. He loved and cared about all his family. He had are ally big heart when it came to that farmer back in those years. He bent over backwards to help that farmer nights and weekends. He had a great love for the farmer and the farmland. He didn’t care how many long hard hours it took to get that farmer going he was there until the job was done. I again had the opportunity to work with him at Hertford County Farm Bureau where he served for about a year to two years as an agent before he went to work as the County Manager. He will truly be missed but leaves wonderful memories behind that I will forever be grateful for. I also remember him truly being a” Wolfpack Man”. He loved N C State. I will always be grateful for all he did for me and my husband Larry (we farmed when I worked for him) he was that kind of fellow man you can’t forget. My heart & love goes out to all his family. Mrs. Craft he had a wonderful care giver. May God bless you all through your difficult time. Kay (Mrs. G as he called me)