Grace McLeod Craft

Grace McLeod Craft, 96, of Nashville, Tn formally of Dawson, GA, passed away peacefully at her son's residence on Saturday, October 5, 2024. Graveside funeral services will be held on Thursday, October 10, 2024 at Cedar Hill Cemetery at 11:00 a.m. Rev. Joel Hudgins will officiate. 

Grace was born in Baker County on November 5, 1927, to the late William Noah and Elizabeth Norman McLeod. Her desire from the first grade was to be a teacher. Through God's grace and mercy this became a reality. She graduated from Elmodel High School on June 4, 1945, and entered Martha Berry College on June 8, 1945. After two years of college, she taught in the Miller County School System. 

Grace and Dock were united in marriage on May 28, 1947. She became a fulltime wife to Dock and later a fulltime mother to Wesley, Patsy, and Marcus, plus all other home duties. 

In 1947, she gave her life to Christ and immediately began teaching Sunday School, training union, Royal Ambassadors, and WMA. She was a Sunday School secretary and church clerk. She and Dock were affiliated with Bethany Baptist, Arlington Baptist and finally (due to Dock's illness) Calvary Baptist church in Dawson. 

In 1959 Dock and Grace (with full support of Wesley, Patsy and Marcus) decided it was again time for her to enter her long-time goal of teaching. From 1959 until 1980 she was a fulltime teacher, wife, mother, and college student. She attended Georgia State College for Women, the University of Georgia, and Valdosta State College. To complete her education she attended summer semesters, night classes, weekend classes and correspondence courses. She obtained a 6th Year Degree in Mental Retardation and Director of Special Education Degree plus certificates in hospital homebound, data processing, and administration and supervision. 

In 1967, she was employed in the Early County School system to teach a class for students with special education needs. This developed into a shared services agreement between Early, Randolph, Calhoun and Baker Counties; later adding Lee, Clay, Miller and Seminole Counties. These counties provided classes for students with mental deficiency, speech, hearing, learning disabilities, and gifted. In 1972 she became the Director of Special Education for (CESA) Cooperative Education Service Agency. She had 20 county and two city systems. 

During this time, she was awarded a federal grant to renovate two abandoned schools. The counties chosen were Calhoun and Worth. These schools were to teach mentally deficient students all life maintaining skills, personal hygiene, care of property, nutrition, and other life skills. The building classrooms were set up as a home unit with bed and bathrooms, laundry, kitchen and lunchrooms (no cooking was allowed). Students from nearby counties were transported daily. Teachers, transportation, and lunch were provided by state funds. 

In 1977, Dock and Grace decided it was time for her to retire from daily travel and return to teaching. She was immediately employed by Seminole County to continue as Special Education and Hospital Homebound Director. In 1978 she also became Director of Curriculum for the Seminole County School System. She retired from education on July 1, 1987 where she, Dock, their children and grandchildren enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, some travel, and their Saturday night bird or catfish meals. 

Preceding her in death are her parents, William Noah and Elizabeth Norman McLeod; granddaughter, Jennifer Michelle Craft; husband, Clarence William "Dock" Craft (for 67 1/2 years); daughter, Patsy Lamb and her husband Carlos; brothers, Thomas, John, and H.C. McLeod; sisters, Evelyn Mock, Dorothy Hopkins, Christine Glaze, and Martha Ann Davis, grandson-in-law Brian Hatcher. 

She is survived by sons, Wesley and Marcus Craft (Rhonda); grandchildren, Traci Lamb, William Craft, Laura (Billy) Martin, Jessica Hatcher; Becky Craft, Heather Littlefield (Mark), and Stephanie Paul; great grandchildren, Riley and Reegan Loomis, Rowan Dareche, Adam Craft, Maddox Hatcher, and Owen and Blake Littlefield; brother, Steve McLeod (Newton); sisters-in-law, Marilyn and Katye McLeod; Christine Craft; and special friend Anita Mays; and her special caregiver, Nettie Jones.

The family will receive friends Wednesday 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Mathews Funeral Home.