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Nita Jo Eaton Craft
October 21, 1931 – January 21, 2024
Nita Jo Craft, 92 of Mize, MS entered the loving arms of her Savior January 21, 2024. The daughter of Roland Flake and Ollie Lois Padgett Eaton, she was born the fifth of eleven children, October 21, 1931 in Prentiss County, MS. She attended school in Pisgah, MS and later graduated from Wheeler High School where she played basketball.
Upon graduation, Nita moved to Jackson where she met James T. Craft of Mize on a blind date. They married in 1954 and shared a beautiful life for nearly 70 years. They built their lives together in Jackson as members of Alta Woods United Methodist Church where she sang alto in the choir. In 1974, while rearing 3 children, Nita and James made the decision to become entrepreneurs and opened Craft Office Products. Side-by-side, they built a successful business where Nita touched many lives along the way. Upon retirement, they chose to relocate to Smith County where they built a home on what they affectionally call Mize-Hill.
Nita never met a stranger. She loved people and enjoyed entertaining. She delighted in cooking for her family and friends and will always be remembered for her signature dish, Chicken and Dumplings! Nita nurtured many close relationships in the church and after retirement she and James became involved in “60 Plus”, a church affiliated group, where they enjoyed outings, friends and travel. Nita cherished spending time in the Smoky Mountains where she and James became a part of the Mountain Laurel Chalet community. They shared many breath-taking sunrises over Mount Le Conte.
Nita so loved the Lord, her family and her church. She spent countless hours abiding in the Word and devotions. Though she was small in stature, she possessed a giant-sized faith in Christ. Shepherding her family down a life-long spiritual path will be her greatest legacy.
She is leaves her adoring husband of 69 ½ years James and their children, James T. (Jimmy) Craft Jr. (Pam) of Clinton, Pamela Ann Wilgus of Florida, and Sheila Marie Craft of Metairie, Louisiana. Nita is also survived by a sister Myrtle Smith and a brother Dan (Kathy), both of Booneville. She leaves 3 grandchildren, Tonya Hamby (David) of Bay St. Louis, Dr. Christopher T Craft of Dayton, OH, and Benjamin J. Craft (Kailin) of Lake Jackson, Texas and 8 great grandchildren, Brickleigh, Bella and Bridgette Wolfe of Bay St. Louis, Jean Paul Hamby of Bay St. Louis, as well as McKenzie, Christopher, Ellasyn and Bennett Craft of Lake Jackson, Texas. She is predeceased by her parents, six brothers and two sisters. Hollis, John K., Elizabeth Gann, Hoyle, Bonnard, Howard, Rhett and Sarah Hampton.
The family would like to express their gratitude to Home Care Hospice as well as Asbury Hospice ministries in Hattiesburg for their wonderful care during this time.
Visitation will be Wednesday, January 24 at Colonial Chapel in Magee from 5 to 8 p.m. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 am. Thursday, January 25 at Colonial Chapel under the direction of the Reverends Chris Cumbest and Eddie Spencer. There will be visitation before the service. Interment will be at Jones Cemetery in Mize immediately following. Pallbearers are Dr. Christopher and Benjamin Craft, Dr. David Hamby, Jerry Powell, Donald Landry and Jean Paul Hamby.
Memorials can be made to the Jones Family Cemetery Association. P.O. Box 85, Mize, MS 39116.
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