Mary Lue Hovis Crafton

Mary Lue Hovis Crafton Mary Lue Hovis Crafton, age 90, died on Friday, February 3, 2017 in Hickory, NC with her grandson Richard and his wife Christina at her side. She was a resident of the Pinecrest Retirement Community in Hickory. Mrs. Crafton was born April 17, 1926 in Lincoln County, the daughter of Plato Perry Richard and Veda Revana Green Richard. She was employed in the hosiery industry most of her life, retiring from J.P. Stevens where she was an inspector. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Crafton was preceded in death by her first husband, Wade Shelton Hovis; son, Dale Richard Hovis; granddaughter Morgan Hovis Gantt, a sister, Ruby M. Jaynes; four brothers; Thomas F. Richard, Louis Lee Richard, Robert L. Richard, James Perry Richard and a half-brother, Morris A. Richard. She is survived by her husband of nineteen years, Howard Lee Crafton; daughter-in-law, Martha D. Staley; grandson, Richard S. Hovis and wife Christina; and great-grand daughters, Grace Marie and Rachel Elizabeth Hovis. She is also survived by three sisters; Betty Jean Sain, Edith Wilson, Essie Jane Webb and numerous nieces and nephews. She and her husband Howard enjoyed many travels during their years together including many trips to Florida during the winter. They were avid gardeners and enjoyed time on their small farm in Burke County with their cows and chickens. Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, February 7 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Hickory with the Reverend Andrew Weisner officiating. Interment will follow in the Bethlehem Lutheran Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends prior to the service at 1 p.m. in the church sanctuary. Funeral arrangements are in the care of Catawba Memorial Park located at 3010 Highway 70, S.E., Hickory, N.C. Condolences may be made online at www.catawbamemorialpark.com. Written condolences should be mailed care of Martha Staley, 1132 Edgefield Lane, Newton, NC 28658. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1686 6th Street S.E., Hickory N.C. 28602.