Florence Craig

Florence Phillips Craig, age 101, of Benton; passed away on Saturday, October 18, 2014. She was born December 29, 1912 in Marion County, Arkansas to James Henry and Audrey Firestone Phillips. Mrs. Craig was retired from Arkansas State Hospital, Benton Unit and was a member of Holland Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ralph Craig; son, Lytle H. Craig; sisters, Opal McElroy and Thelma Hunt; daughters-in-law, Annette Craig and Gail Craig and a son-in-law, James McClendon. She is survived by her sons, Phillip Craig of Little Rock and Scott Craig of Benton; daughters, Barbara (Charles) James, Judy McClendon and Beth (Roy) Hollowoa all of Benton; daughter-in-law, Karen Craig of DeLand, Florida; thirteen grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Florence and her sisters were orphaned in 1919 as the great flu epidemic took both parents and numerous relatives. Their grandfather Firestone was a Mason and in order to keep the three girls together he got them into the Masonic Home in Batesville where they attended public schools. After High School, all three became registered nurses funded by the Masons. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, October 23 at Ashby Funeral Home. Graveside services will be 12 noon Friday, October 24 at Oaklawn Cemetery in Batesville, Arkansas. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Salvation Army or to the Saline Memorial Hospice. On-line guest book at www.ashbyfuneralhome.com.