Craig Edward Bess

Loving husband, father, son, brother and friend, Craig Edward Bess, 35 of Shady Spring, passed away Saturday, June 13, 2015. Born April 15, 1980, Craig was the son of Dennis Bess and the late Pauletta Bailey Bess. Craig grew up in Oak Hill, W.Va., graduated from Oak Hill High School in 1998 and was a graduate of West Virginia University. Anyone that knew him knew of his passion for music. He played the piano and drums but most know him for what an extremely talented guitarist he was, known even to bend the strings on occasion. Craig played in numerous bands throughout his life including Brewster, Seven Day Disciples, Matt Jones and was part of the Praise and Worship band at Grandview Christian Church where he and his family are members. For the last several years, Craig worked as an Environmental Engineer for Brooks Run South, a subsidiary of Alpha Natural Resources. He started his mining career straight out of high school with Massey Energy. Before Brooks Run, Craig worked for seven years at Alliance Consulting, Inc. in their mining/engineering department and this is where he met his wife, Nikie. She holds on to wonderful memories of their time together, from their first kiss while riding a ferris wheel to his gentlemanly way of always opening her car door and sneaking a little kiss before he shut it. Craig was a hard worker, easy going, generous and good-hearted, loved a good laugh and was a best friend to so many. He looked forward to vacation time, so much so that as soon as he returned home from one vacation, he was already planning for the next one. Those left to treasure his memory include his wife, Karen “Nikie” Mitchell Bess; father Dennis “Denny” Bess (Wanda) of Oak Hill; daughter Lexi Bess and son Ashton Bess, who reside in Clemmons, N.C. with their mom Heather Cooper and step-dad, Michael; brother Kevin Bess and wife Autumn of Oak Hill, Chris Via and fiancé Miranda of Fayetteville; step-children Keegan, Kadee, Kolten and Kerianna Mueller; mother-in-law and father-in-law Linda and Paul Prince all of Shady Spring; sisters-in-law Wendy Basham (William), Carol Kelly (Tom), brothers-in-law Tommy Mitchell (fiancé Brittani), C. H. Mitchell (Shelly), Matthew Mitchell (Bay), Greg Prince (Peg), Charles Prince (Cheri), cousinTara Bess Smith who is like a sister, and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, family and friends. Because of Craig’s deep love for music, the family requests memorial donations be made to the School of Harmony in Beaver, W.Va. in lieu of flowers. Minister, friend and brother-in-Christ, Jeff Greene and Worship Minister, friend and brother-in-Christ, Will Davis will be conducting services to celebrate Craig’s life on Thursday, June 18 at 2 p.m.