Willie Jean Craft

Willie Jean Craft, 86  years of age, and a resident of Sheffield Lake, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, April 6, 2021, at Mercy Regional Medical Center in Lorain following a full and meaningful life.

Willie Jean was born April 13,1934, in Letcher County, Kentucky.  As a young adult, she moved to Lorain and had made her home in Sheffield Lake for over fifty years.

Willie Jean was employed at Good Samaritan Nursing Home as a nurses aid for thirty two years.  She was an active member of Green Pastures Baptist Church in Oberlin where she enjoyed singing to her Lord and hearing His word preached. Jean loved spending holidays with her family as well as playing cards with them. She treasured every moment spent with her grandchildren, and great grandchildren.  Sunday afternoons were always reserved for Cleveland Browns football, she never missed a game if possible.

Survivors include; her children, Benny Lee Craft (Colleen) of Vermilion, Ryan Craft (Lori) of Sheffield Village, Brenda Landers (Mike) of Amherst , Sandy Johnson of Wellington, Debbie Burbank (Bill) of Sheffield Lake; sister, Bobbie Whittaker (Bob) of Canton; grandchildren, Rodney (Teresa) Craft, Randy (Chris) Craft, Mark (Skye) Casey, Nicole (Kevin) Delong, Jessica Oberg, Ryan Craft, Jr., Robert (Sierra) Birkhimer, Brandie Craft, Jennifer (Tony) Perry, William (Heather) Johnson, Justin Woods, Aaron Woods, and Billy Burbank; thirteen great grandchildren; as well as many nieces and nephews and extended family.

She was preceded in death by her siblings,  Benjamin Bentley, William O. Bentley; Ernestine Cody, Betty Tackett, Opal Thomas, and Sadie Ridge; and by her parents,  Willo  and Sadie Bentley (nee: Begley) as well as grandson Jason Birkhimer, and great granddaughter Megan Rathwell; as well as many nieces and nephews and extended family.

Public visitation for family and friends will be held at Hempel Funeral Home on Saturday, April 10, from 9:00 am until the time of funeral service at 11:00 am.  Rebroadcasting of services will be available at http://www.hempelfuneralhome.com/ . The Rev. Kurby Perrigan, pastor of Green Pastures Baptist Church will officiate.  Burial will follow at Ridge Hill Memorial Park, Amherst Township.

The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to Green Pastures Baptist Church, 4180 Weathervane Dr., Lorain, Ohio 44053.

Please visit the funeral home's website to share a memory and sign the guest register, www.hempelfuneralhome.com.

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