Page 135 - The CRAIG family

EPILOGUE
When I was putting together this information, it brought back so many precious memories. During the 1950’s and early 1960’s, life was simple, and family was so important. It’s amazing that the Craig orphans had such a close bond and stayed so close throughout their lives.
Although I knew Aunt Charlotte was the matriarch of the family, I didn’t really think that much about it until I was writing this and looking at newspaper articles (too many to include). Her home was the gathering place for the family. No matter what occasion it was, it happened at her house. Daddy said Uncle Clifton was a saint and again, as I wrote this, I understood just what a kind-hearted person he was. At one time or another, every one of the Craig children (except for Eva) stayed with Aunt Charlotte and Uncle Clifton. Aunt Charlotte was the glue that held them together. Also looking at the newspaper articles about all of the picnic and family get togethers at our house, I could shut my eyes and remember every one of them. It seems like we celebrated everything.
My cousin Linda mentioned to me that Aunt Gin made the comment that Daddy “hit the jackpot” when he got to go live with the Adams. Grandma and Papa were poor and didn’t have much, but they had a lot of love to give. When they took Daddy, they welcomed and loved all of the Craig kids. One time during a flood even Aunt Eva and her family came over and stayed with Grandma. In Daddy’s journal he says that Grandma Adams was the person that molded his character more than anyone. Plus, not only did Daddy have his Craig family, he had Papa’s family and Grandma’s family. He was truly blessed.
All of the Craig cousins, with the exception of Aunt Eva’s children, were close in age. Dorothy and Judy were older, but they were always there for all of the get togethers. I remember we got so excited when we heard that Aunt Gin, Uncle Blue, Linda and Mike were coming for a visit or when Uncle Ed, Aunt Goldie, Butch, Gary, Donna and Ricky were coming ... Our trip to Florida to see Uncle George and Aunt Mary, when we took Grandma with us to Ft. Leonard Wood to have Thanksgiving with Uncle Ed .... Even when they lived miles apart the Craig orphans remained close.
Although not nearly enough, I try to keep in touch with my cousins. I visited Donna and Rickie on one of my trips to Indiana and stopped to see Butch on one of my trips to Mississippi. Last year I decided to do a “Cousin” trip and went to Jacksonville to see Glenn; to St. Augustine to see Brenda (Sharon was working so didn’t get to see her); Charleston, SC to see Linda and then went to Indiana and saw Mark and Craig (Dorothy’s son). It’s always good to see them!
I think Marshall and Jean Craig would have been very proud of their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. In spite of their hardships and early deaths, their children loved each other unconditionally; they were strong; stayed together through thick and thin; and led decent lives. I think they would have been proud that their sons served honorably for their country and instilled that importance in their children and grandchildren. Yes, I think they would have been very proud.
My brother David and my son Craig got to know many in the family that are now gone. Through my Daddy, they grew up hearing all of the stories, so they know who their aunts and uncles were and they feel the connection to them .... For that I am thankful because there is no one left to keep the stories alive.
Karen Craig Donahoe - August, 2019
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