Bonita Craig

BONITA "BOBBIE" CRAIG

Monticello

The foundation created by the "Greatest Generation" has lost another brick that made it so on Monday, Oct. 6, 2014.

Bonita "Bobbie" Adaline Lucas Craig was born Sept. 13, 1921, in Caruthersville, Mo., to Everett E. Lucas and Bertha Armstrong Lucas. She left home at the age of 16 to become a mature, independent, intelligent and beautiful lady.

She married Hershel D. Craig on June 3, 1941, in Blytheville, Ark. She always joked she was pregnant with her first son by 8 p.m. that evening and gave birth to Samuel Lynnwood Craig eight months and 27 days later.

World War II took her to Lajolla, Calif., to be near her soldier when he was home on leave and there she bore their second child, Juanita Louise. Bobbie and Hershel made their home in Blytheville, Ark., at the end of the war until moving to Marion, Iowa, in 1953. While in Marion their younger boys, Ronnie and Roger, were born.

Bobbie was an excellent life partner, mother, grandmother and friend. She made a safe and comfortable home for her family and anyone who was fortunate enough to enter it. She was more than a wife, mother and loyal friend. She was an entrepreneur, supportive employee and bright light in the darkest of times. Her lasting lessons of love and support have had lasting effect on those she touched. Many of those lives touched were while she was the owner and operator of the A&W Drive In and Craig's Cafe and the deli and bakery at Bud's Super Value in Monticello.

Preceding her in passing were, Hershel Craig; Samuel Lynnwood and his wife, Beverly; grandson, Jarod Paul Craig; and great-granddaughter, Jacie Zbleski.

She is survived by her immediate family, Juanita Fee of Alpharetta, Ga., Ronnie and Joni Craig of Mount Vernon, Roger and Nancy Craig, Clermont; 10 grandchildren, Chandra Craig, Amy Kilpatrick, Kenneth Fee Jr., Charles Fee, Rachel Craig, Adam Craig, Nicole Shives, Natalie Craig, Janelle Zbleski and Connor Craig and 11 great-grandchildren.

The world is a bit dimmer from the loss of this beacon of love and hope but heaven is ever brighter for it.

Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, at the First Presbyterian Church, Monticello, with interment in the Oakwood Cemetery. The Rev. Edwin Moreano will officiate at the services.

Thoughts, memories and condolences may be left at www.goettschonline.com.

The family asks in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Above and Beyond Hospice of Monticello or the Alzheimer's Association.