Martha Jean Parker Craft, of Wilmington, North Carolina, passed away on August 14, 2026, in Forest City, North Carolina. She was born on November 10, 1932, in Rocky Ford, Georgia, to Lucius Augustus Parker and Orde Christine Sasser Parker. She moved to Wilmington as a teenager and made it her home, building a life centered on family, faith, and friendship.
Martha met James Edward “Jim” Craft in Wilmington, and they shared a devoted marriage. Together, they enjoyed their church community, friendships, and time with family. Martha was immensely proud of her family and loved celebrating their accomplishments.
Martha worked throughout much of her life, first in administrative positions, and later served as a finance manager for several automobile dealerships. She was a longtime member of College Acres Baptist Church in Wilmington.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her nine siblings; her husband, Jim; and her son, Mark Howard Craft.
She is survived by her daughter-in-law, Susan Ferguson Craft; her daughter, Nancy Craft Pearce and her husband, James; her granddaughter, Kristen Pearce Griffith and her husband, Lee; and many loving nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, August 28, 2026, at Andrews Mortuary Market Chapel. The family will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 10:00 am. Interment will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of the Carolina Foothills.
