Joe Louis Craig
Joe Louis Craig, 75, of 155 South Grove St. died Wednesday, April 27, 2011.
Joe was born September 18, 1935 in Knoxville, Tenn as the only child of the late Margaret and J.C. Clayton. Joe moved to Asheville at an early age and attended Livingston St. and Asheland Ave. schools. He attended Stephens-Lee High School where he was the starting center for the football team for four years. Joe accepted a full football scholarship to Johnson C. Smith University, Charlotte. "The experience playing center at Stephens-Lee served him in good stead", quoted J C Smith coach Stonewall Jackson, who played professionally with the New York Giants. Highlights of Joe's football career included being selected CIAA All-Conference for the 1956-57 season and recognition by the Charlotte Observer in a feature article as being an “Ironman,” having played 60 minutes without an injury in all football games, his sophomore through senior years.
Joe graduated with a degree in Physical Education and returned to Asheville and began working at the Juvenile Evaluation Center as physical education director. He retired after 34 years of service. Joe was a member of Brown Temple CME Church, the Voices of Zion and Alpha Omicron Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.
He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Lille Newby, mother-in-law, Nancy Boston, son, Gregory Craig and daughter, Audrey Craig Watkins.
Joe was born September 18, 1935 in Knoxville, Tenn as the only child of the late Margaret and J.C. Clayton. Joe moved to Asheville at an early age and attended Livingston St. and Asheland Ave. schools. He attended Stephens-Lee High School where he was the starting center for the football team for four years. Joe accepted a full football scholarship to Johnson C. Smith University, Charlotte. "The experience playing center at Stephens-Lee served him in good stead", quoted J C Smith coach Stonewall Jackson, who played professionally with the New York Giants. Highlights of Joe's football career included being selected CIAA All-Conference for the 1956-57 season and recognition by the Charlotte Observer in a feature article as being an “Ironman,” having played 60 minutes without an injury in all football games, his sophomore through senior years.
Joe graduated with a degree in Physical Education and returned to Asheville and began working at the Juvenile Evaluation Center as physical education director. He retired after 34 years of service. Joe was a member of Brown Temple CME Church, the Voices of Zion and Alpha Omicron Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.
He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Lille Newby, mother-in-law, Nancy Boston, son, Gregory Craig and daughter, Audrey Craig Watkins.
Surviving family include his wife of 51 years, Brenda Boston Craig; sons, Joe Louis Craig, Jr. (Jean) of Kansas City, Mo., Jonathan Craig (Sheron) and Jeffrey Craig (Elizabeth), of Asheville; grandsons, Paul, James, Derek, Joshua, and Devon; granddaughters, Brooke, Courtney, Jalen and Sanii. He was cherished by special cousins from Winston-Salem, NC; sister-in-laws, Arzila Giles of Cleveland, Oh, Virginia Gibson (Wallace) of Augusta, Ga., Carolyn Boston, Rosetta Boseman and Matila Flack (Leonard), of Asheville; son-in-law, James L. Watkins. He was treasured by a host of nieces, nephews and cousins; Godfather, Fransco Johnson; Godmothers, Daisy Lyles and Emma Williams; and very special friend to the family, Carolyn Baggs.
The funeral service will be 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, Brown Temple CME Church with Rev. Gary McDainels officiating. Burial will be in Violet Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the residence.
Sign the Guest Book (Scroll down to see other condolences):
Willie Mae Darden Watkins ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ): Ms.
You are in my prayers and thoughts. Grew up in the same neighborhood with Joe Louis.May God bless and keep you during this time.
Sunday, 08 May 2011
Gwendolyn Means Shaw ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ): Childhood Neighbor and Friend
Brenda and Family, may you find comfort in God's Grace and Mercy and your loving family. When we lose the ones we love, we lose a part of ourselves and we cannot begin to see how the sorrow will ever lift. Sunshine always follow the rain, and happy memories will lead you to the happiness you shared.
Sincerely, Gwen
Tuesday, 03 May 2011
Mike Cowan ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ): My Condolences
I am very sorry, Joe was a good man.
Tuesday, 03 May 2011
James Duncan Shirley Duncan ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ): Classmate & Friend
Brenda, our deepest sympathy to you and your family. You have our prayers. God be with you.
Monday, 02 May 2011
Jean Barton ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ): Sympathy
Prayers and thoughts will always and forever be with you and family. God continue to bless and protect and keep you. Joe was my friend and I will miss him. Jean Barton
Monday, 02 May 2011
Nevada McCoy ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ): Mrs
Brenda and family, you all have our Sympathy. May you know your love one is not sufferng any more. He's with his Heavenly Father one day you'll be with him again in Heaven. Love you all Richard & Nevada
Sunday, 01 May 2011
Carolyn Alexander ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ): Co-Worker & Friend
You have my sincere prayer & deepest empathy. God's will be done!
Sunday, 01 May 2011