Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, in the McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service Chapel in Grenada for Patricia Marie Watkins Craig, 75, of Grenada, who passed away peacefully at her home on Wednesday, Feb. 19. Burial followed in Union Cemetery in Tillatoba. Bro. Barry Worrell officiated.
Pat was born on March 27, 1949, in Garden City, Mich., the daughter of the late Mr. Kenneth Aubrey and the late Jessie Marie Phelps Watkins. Pat moved to Mississippi early in her childhood and met the love of her life, the late Little Jack Craig. Pat raised her family as a devoted homemaker the first part of her life, and enjoyed showing horses and raising livestock with her family. She later followed her grandchildren to daycare and became an employee at Freeman’s Little People’s Place.
In 1997, Pat graduated from Holmes Community College with her associate’s degree in nursing. She was a devoted pediatric and nursery nurse at Grenada Lake Medical Center for 25 years. She loved her job, her babies and her co-workers. Nursing was truly a God-given talent and she blessed many during her years of service. After retirement, Pat enjoyed traveling — if there was a trip and she had a free spot in her schedule she was packed and waiting to go either with family, friends or a local church group. Her greatest enjoyment came from watching her grandchildren at sporting events, dance competitions or just simply spending quality time with them. She was a devoted friend to her traveling buddies and enjoyed lunch with the “Traveling Grannies” on Fridays.
Pat also enjoyed attending the MSU Lady Bulldogs basketball games and cheered them on when at all possible. She was a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Grenada and enjoyed many activities with her church. If anyone ever described Pat it was as kind and selfless. She would do anything for anyone and never thought twice about it. She loved her family and friends with everything she had and never failed to let them know how much she did love them. She will be deeply missed by family and friends, but leaves a powerful legacy of faith, strength, love, resilience and determination. The family members only have peace knowing she is rejoicing at her Lord and Savior’s feet.
In addition to her parents and her husband, one granddaughter, Taylor Skelton, preceded Pat in death.
Survivors include, her children, Jackie Craig Bowman (Don), Laurie Craig Cordel (Phil) and Paul Craig (Jennifer Rounsaville). She was the best Grammy to her grandchildren, Morgan Eskridge (Chad), Brian Bowman (Jennifer), Brent Bowman (Tori), Chase Newman (Lorrin) and Wyot Skelton and great grands, Charlie Brooke Bowman, Jack Bowman, Woody Skelton, Audrey Eskridge, Weston Bowman, Eli Newman, Sawyer Bowman, Wilson Skelton and Luke Newman, which also survive her. Pat also leaves behind her brothers, Wayne Watkins (Jackie) and Roy Watkins (Christi); sister-in-loves, Beverly Craig McBride (Walter) and Sandra Craig Anderson; special friend, who quickly became a sister, Mary Staten, and a host of nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers honored to serve were Brian Bowman, Brent Bowman, Chad Eskridge, Wyot Skelton, Chase Newman, Jacob Rounsaville, Brent McBride and Kenny Watkins.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to the Union Cemetery Fund, 8011 CR 154, Tillatoba, MS 38961.
Online condolences can be expressed to the family at www.mckibbenandguinn.com
McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada was in charge of arrangements.
