Johnnie L. McCraw, age 86

Johnnie L. McCraw, age 86, of Mooresboro, NC, passed away Saturday, January 12, 2013.

Johnnie was born February 17, 1926 in Cleveland County, NC to the late Thomas Pate McCraw and Ethel Belle Short McCraw.  He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the US Navy on the USS Kilty.  He later worked for Burlington Industries for 47 years before his retirement.  He was a faithful member of Goodes Creek Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon, on the cemetery board and usher.  He was famously known as the “man who passed out the church bulletins.”  He enjoyed gardening, hummingbirds, and going to the flea market.  He was a kind and humble man with a great sense of humor.

     In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Edith Louise Oliver McCraw; three brothers, Claude McCraw, Winfred “Skip” McCraw and Dean McCraw; two sisters, Pearlie Whisnant and Eva Arrowood.

Survivors include two sons, Kenneth McCraw and wife, Marty of Ellenboro and Danny McCraw and wife, Sherry of Mooresboro; five daughters, Deborah Barker and husband, Phillip of Mooresboro, Janet Arrowood and husband, Randy of Mooresboro, Donna Pruett and husband, Jimmy of Ellenboro, Karen Carpenter and husband, Spencer of Cliffside and Amy Greene and husband, Claude of Gilkey. He is also survived by one sister, Carolyn Arrowood and husband, Leonard of Cliffside, nine grandchildren and twenty-four great grandchildren.

Funeral services were conducted at Goodes Creek Baptist Church with Reverend Glenn Walker and Reverend Robert Harris officiating.  Interment followed in the church cemetery with military honors being accorded by the Rutherford County Honor Guard.

Memorial donations are suggested to Hospice of Rutherford County, PO Box 336, Forest City, NC  28043.

Harrelson Funeral and Cremation Services is caring for the family of Mr. McCraw.