Shirley Bernice Craig, age 67, of Springfield, MO, passed away Saturday, August 20, 2011, at St. Louis University Hospital. She was born January 3, 1944, in Pine Creek, MO, to Jasper and Ethel (Shipley) Allcorn.
These few paragraphs don’t begin to describe the impact of Shirley’s life, but only touches on some of the highlights of a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and friend.
Shirley met the love of her life, Jerry Steve Craig, of Willard, MO, just after graduating high school, and they married soon after, to spend 49 loving years in marriage. They have three sons. Steven Scott Craig, of Springfield; Kelly Craig, of New York, NY, and wife Colleen; Patrick Craig, of Portland, OR, and wife Cara. While she loved her sons, the light of her life were her grandchildren Heather Williams and husband James, who gave her a great grandson Maxwell; Mallory Craig; Dylan Craig; Luke Craig; Evan Craig; and Perrin Craig. She loved to sit and play with them all day.
Before graduating from Hillcrest High School, Springfield, MO, in 1961, she was a member of the Hillcrest Highlander Drum & Bugle Corp. She was also a “Who’s Who Among Students In American Vocational and Technical Schools” when she graduated from Queen City School of Cosmetology in 1975.
Over the years, Shirley enjoyed traveling to see her children and grandchildren, and vacationing with friends. Clients and co-workers were the reason she enjoyed working right up to the day she retired. She was known for her cooking, and many have asked for recipes. She always had a smile and dinner for anyone who visited.
Shirley is survived by the family above in addition to two sisters, Betty Beeman of Springfield, MO, Ella Mae Smith of West Plains, MO and a brother, Bacil Allcorn and wife Wanda, of Springfield, MO; as well as a host of other relatives and wonderful friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her sisters Thelma McCleary, Helen Kastning, Darlene Cox, and Beulah Epley.
Visitation will be held Wed. Aug 24th, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. in Greenlawn Funeral Home North, 3506 N National. Services will be held Thurs. Aug 25th, 3 p.m., also in Greenlawn, with graveside memorial immediately following in White Chapel Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The American Liver Foundation.
Online condolences may be made at www.greenlawnfuneralhome.com