Crafts living a sweet and lifelong romance of 65 years
by Tina Cole-Mullins
Back in 1956, Shirley (Rogers) and Loie Dean Craft met in church. Two years later in June 1958, they were married at the Church of God in Stockbridge and began their life together. It would be a special life filled with love, faith and family.
The church where they married is just a block away from their small-town home in Stockbridge, where they shared their life together. They raised their family while living simply and falling back on their southern roots.
Craft’s 50th Anniversary Celebration. Pictured L-R Back row – Dan Craft, Robin Craft & Paul Craft. Photo provided by Zaneta Craft
Daughter Robin said “faithful” is the best word to describe her parents.
“(They are) faithful to God, faithful to each other, faithful to their family and faithful to the church,” she said. “They have been faithful going to church for 66 years. Hardly ever miss a Wednesday or Sunday … whatever is going on at church, they are there.”
As a young man, Loie Dean worked many jobs so his young bride Shirley could stay at home with their three children. Robin Craft is their daughter and the oldest. Son Phillip (Kimberly) Craft is the youngest. Their middle child, son Daniel (Zaneta) Craft passed away in late 2019.
A one-time janitor for Stockbridge Schools, Loie Dean retired from General Motors. He also is a local handyman, and once managed a meat market in the family garage. Now, the couple sell honey from that same garage and their “Honey For Sale” sign is still visible at the corner of East Main and South William streets in Stockbridge. Years ago, the Crafts also owned many houses that they would buy and fix up for rentals. Now, all but a couple have been sold.
Through the years, their family has grown to include two daughters-in-law, nine grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and 21 great-great-grandchildren. However, there isn’t a child in town who doesn’t call them Grandma or Grandpa Craft.
“Mom and Dad have been great parents. They are always there when needed, they have always been there to talk to or (for) whatever we need,” wrote daughter-in-law and Phillip’s wife Kimberly Craft. “They are a good example of what a Christian is. They are also very knowledgeable in God’s word. We love them both.”
Daughter-in-law Zaneta Craft is grateful to be a part of their family.
“Mom and Dad Craft are the most loving, caring parents. I have been in the family since 1998 and would not have changed anything,” she said. “They are not only my in-laws, they are my parents. I would not have made it this far in life without their guidance in my faith or life.
“They are a blessing to our family … and everything they do is with faith and love,” she continued. “To watch them together is enchanting!”
Crafts with their children and generations of grandchildren. Photo provided by Zaneta Craft
Photo Credit Zaneta Craft
Photo provided by Zaneta Craft
Local Honey’s Crafting a sweet and lifelong romance of 65 years. The sign Honey For Sale is still visible at the corner of E. Main and S. William St. in Stockbridge. Photo provided by Zaneta Craft
Shirley (Rogers) and Loie Dean Craft met at the Stockbridge Church of God in October of 1956. They married at the church in June of 1958. Photo Credit: Zaneta Craft
February is the month when SCN celebrates the enduring strength of love. This is our fourth year shining a spotlight on couples from the Stockbridge area who have celebrated 50 years or more of marriage. Many thanks to those couples who were willing to be interviewed for our 2022 feature. (Headline from poem by Elaine Davis.)
Couples we’ve highlighted in previous years include:
- AC and Cheryl Allen
- June and Fred Brockmiller
- Chuck and Joan Bumpus
- Dale and Eileen Conti
- Marvin and Jeanne Cook
- Stan and Susan Daily
- Bev and Dave Glynn
- Arlene and Ron Kaiser
- Jan and George Kitley
- Terry and Dianne Outwater
- Don and Tammy Porter
- Claire and Linda Risner
- Claire and John Sawicki
- Doug and Terry Sommer
- Ivan and Cheryl Wyrick
- Richard and Margaret Morrison
- Jim and Edith Zeitz
