Rev. Nathaniel Craig
Rev. Nathaniel Lee Craig of Stigler, Okla. was born in Fort Smith, Ark. on Oct. 29, 1946, to Nathaniel and Mary Lou (Carter) Craig. He passed away in Tulsa, Okla. on April 24, 2021, at the age of 74.
He is survived by his wife, Joan, of the home; his sons, Keith Craig and wife, Melissa, of Spiro, Okla., Dennis Craig and wife, Jaymie, of Stigler, Okla. and Johnathan Craig and girlfriend, Kayla Radford, both of Stigler, Okla.; his honorary daughter, Brenda Carney and husband, Rusty, of Tokyo, Japan; his brother, Darrell Craig and wife, Ellen, of Tucker, Okla.; his sister, Anita Johnston and husband, Jeff, of Spiro, Okla.; his grandchildren, Jaylee Cope and husband, Dillion, Chelsea Craig, Nevaeh Craig, Christian Craig, Whyatt Rainwater, Clayton Rainwater and Lexi Radford; his great-granddaughter, Jayden Rose; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Nathaniel was preceded in death by his parents, Nathaniel and Mary Lou Craig and his brother, Terry Craig.
Nathaniel graduated from Spiro High School in 1964. He served in the U.S. Army for 11 years and worked in aviation during that time. He was stationed in Germany, Korea and Vietnam.
Nathaniel met Joan Maxwell, the love of his life, and they were engaged after five days. They were happily married 53 years and served together in ministry.
Nathaniel served in ministry for 46 years. He was a member of the Oklahoma Free Will Baptist State Mission Board for 14 years. He was a moderator for the Eureka Free Will Baptist Association and pastored at Rock Ford, Cass, Arkoma and McCurtain. He was currently the pastor at Lafayette Free Will Baptist Church.
Viewing will be held at Mallory Funeral Home in Stigler from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, April 27, 28 and 29; from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with family visitation from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, April 30.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 1, 2021, at Eureka Free Will Baptist Association Campground with the Rev. Dennis Craig and the Rev. Mike Wade officiating. Interment will follow at Stigler City Cemetery under the direction of Mallory-Martin Funeral Home and Crematory of Stigler.
Pallbearers will be Roy Perryman, Doug Honeycutt, Larry Ross, Billy Joe Long, Wayne Smith and Tony Smith.
Honorary pallbearers will be Kenneth Pugh, Wednesday Morning Bible Study Group and golf buddies.
Military honors will be provided by VFW Post 4884.