Mae Craft died in peace and with her family present on Sunday, May 18, 2014, at age 99. Born in the Tankersley community of Tom Green County on Sept. 5, 1914, Mae lived in San Angelo until a recent move to a retirement community in Abilene. Mae's parents, John and Lillian McCleery, were farmers in the San Angelo area. She had fond memories and good stories of growing up in a big happy family with siblings Irene, John, Bill, Forest, Lois and Seeley. In 1928, she married Charles N. Craft and together they survived the Great Depression and went on to raise a family. A loving and attentive mother, Mae's joy was raising her children and making a home at 720 N. Jackson St. for more than 60 years. She was known for having a beautiful yard filled with flowers and a house filled with the aroma of home cooking. She would gladly include the neighborhood kids at meal time and was known by many as "The Cookie Lady." Mae was the one all the neighbors trusted with their spare house keys and knew she would watch out for their children. She was a longtime member of Colorado and Jackson Street Church of Christ and later Southgate Church of Christ. Her love of the Lord and deep faith in God's teachings were evident in every aspect of her life. Mae is survived by her children, John and Margaret Craft of Abilene and Carolyn Marshall of Hurst; her grandchildren, Sharon Craft and Dusty Jackson, Katie and Jamar Green, Carol and Kyle Gilmore; her great-grandchildren, Griffin and Chloe Kinnard; brother and sister-in-law Forest and Rose McCleery; sister Lois Fergason; brother and sister-in-law A.S. "Mac" and Glenda McCleery; and many beloved nieces and nephews. Mae was preceded in death by parents John and Lillian Hobbs McCleery; her husband of 51 years, Charles N. Craft; her son-in-law, Buford Marshall; sister Irene; and brothers and sisters and brothers-in-law, John and Lois McCleery, Bill and Ethel McCleery, Jack and Imogene Craft and Robert Craft. Mae will be remembered for her loving spirit, her Christian example, her independent strength and her generosity. She will be dearly missed and her love and spirit will live on always in the hearts of those who loved her. Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 21, at Johnson's Funeral Home, 435 W. Beauregard Ave., San Angelo, with a viewing prior to the services at 1:30 p.m. No graveside service. There will be a reception following the service at Johnson's Funeral Home. Family and friends may sign the online register book at johnsons-funeralhome.com. "Death leaves a heartache no one can heal; love leaves a memory no one can steal." - from a headstone in Ireland.
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