Mary Lou (Young) Craig

Mary Lou Craig was known as many things to many people. She was a loved one, a friend, and someone special. To family and friends who knew her best, Mary Lou will be remembered as a very exceptional person. She was a hard worker, caregiver to two children, daughter Janet and son Terry who was injured in a tractor accident.

She was the daughter of Noah and Cora Young. Mary Lou grew up in Hildebran, North Carolina.

Mary Lou was raised with seven siblings. She had three sisters, Viola, Gladys, Ruby, and four brothers Darrell, Harley, Buford and Tony. Mary Lou was usually involved in all sorts of activities with her siblings. She and her siblings experienced rivalries typical of a growing family, but they shared many life experiences over the years.

As a young girl, Mary Lou had a number of interests. Like most children, she enjoyed playing and making up games. She was curious about the world around her and was often eager to explore it. Mary Lou was an active child who took part in kick the can, hide-n-seek, horse shoes, marbles, board games with family. However, to Mary Lou, the most fun to be had was simply playing and spending time with her friends.

On October 8, 1956 Mary Lou exchanged wedding vows with Carroll R. Craig. Empathic and loyal, Mary Lou was committed to making her new family happy.

Mary Lou worked hard to be a good mother to her children and she did her best to fulfill their needs. Mary Lou was blessed with five children, Patricia, Carroll Jr., Denise, Terry and Janet.

Fortunately, Mary Lou enjoyed what she did for a living. Showing a strong work ethic, Mary Lou worked diligently and did her best to succeed in her career. Her primary occupation was hairdresser and Salon owner. She was employed for 40 plus years

Mary Lou enjoyed her leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. Her favorite pursuits were gardening and camping. She was content to enjoy her favorite pastimes alone but was also willing to share her interests with others.

Mary Lou found pleasure in sports. Recreational sports included trout fishing.

Mary Lou’s faith was important to her. She was a member Fairbrook Baptist Church and fifteen years at Beulah Baptist Church. During that time, she was ministers wife, Sunday School Teacher, Acteen leader, and in the Choir.

Mary Lou enjoyed traveling and time away on vacations. It was a chance for her to renew and relax, to visit new places and experience new things. Favorite vacations included traveling out West and camping in the mountains.

Mary Lou passed away on September 17, 2020 at her home, she leaned back in her recliner, went to sleep and woke up in Heaven to a glorious homecoming after a year of declining health. She is survived by her husband, Carrol Russell Craig of the home; daughters, Patricia Childress and husband Ronnie of Dudley Shoals, Denise Mathis of Icard; son, Carrol Craig Jr. and wife Trish of Panama City, FL; nine grandchildren; fourteen great grandchildren; and brothers, Buford Young and Tony Young. Services were held at Beulah Baptist. Mary Lou was laid to rest in Beulah Baptist Church in Vale, NC.

Simply stated, Mary Lou was a good and kind person, an individual who will for all time be remembered by her family and friends as being a caring and giving person, someone who was a vital part of their lives. Mary Lou leaves behind her a legacy of life-long friendships and many cherished memories. Everyone whose life she touched will always remember Mary Lou Craig.

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Mary Lou Young Craig, 81, passed away on Thursday, September 17, 2020 at her residence.

She was born on November 7, 1938 to the late Noah Young and Cora Huffman Young in Burke County. Mary Lou was a member of Beulah Baptist Church.

Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Janet Lynn Craig; son, Terry Carrol Craig; three sisters, Viola, Gladys, Ruby; and two brothers, Darrell and Harley.

Survivors include her husband, Carrol Russell Craig of the home; daughters, Patricia Childress and husband Ronnie of Dudley Shoals, Denise Mathis of Icard; son, Carrol Craig Jr. and wife Trish of Panama City, FL; nine grandchildren; fourteen great grandchildren; and brothers, Buford Young and Tony Young of Hildebran.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Hickory Funeral Home.

The funeral service will be held Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. at Beulah Baptist Church. She will lie in state an hour prior to the service. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Rev. Rick Davis will be officiating the service.