John D. Craig, Jr.

    John Daniel Craig, Jr., 69, was born on May 4, 1954, to John Daniel and Thelma Lunsford Craig as one of 16 children. He passed from this world on Monday, February 12, 2024, at home after a courageous 11-year battle with cancer and COPD.

    John married Sue Ellen Ross on November 30, 1981, and would have celebrated their 43^rd Anniversary this year.

    John was a big man, both in stature and for what he did for others. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, in-law, outlaw and friend to many. John enjoyed motorcycling, camping, bartering and spending time with his family and friends. He held a variety of jobs in his lifetime and retired as owner-operator of Craig Trucking.

    John was preceded in death by his parents, his son, J.D, and several other family members and friends.

    John is survived by his wife, Sue; daughter, Diannia Brautigan; step-daughter, Annie Brown (Jamie); grandchildren and great-grandchildren. John was instrumental in raising his grandchildren, Ariana Hernandez (Andrew), Starr Gunckle (Jacob), Brayden Stinson and Tanner Stinson, who resided with him for over 10 years. His great-granddaughter, Makinley Hernandez, was his pride and joy and he was recently able to celebrate the birth of her little brother, Vinny, on February 7, a mere five days prior to John’s passing.

   Public visitation for John will be from 11:00 a.m. -2:00 p.m. on Friday, February 16, at the Smith-McQuiston & Webster Funeral Home, 321 US 27 South, Fountain City.

   A public celebration of John’s life will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, February 16 at the funeral home. John’s brother-in-law, Kenny Fields, will officiate. Interment in Spartanburg Cemetery will be private.

    Memorial contributions are encouraged for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or at www.stjude.org.