Barbara Craig

Beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister, and grandmother, Barbara passed away unexpectedly Monday, September 5, 2005 from a brain hemorrhage. She was born November 29, 1937 in Teague, Texas to Geraldine "Jerry" Newsom Copeland and Dr. Kennard "Bill" Copeland. During World War II, she and her mother followed her dad from coast to coast during his state-side tour of duty. She often reflected on these trying times but was bonded ever close to her parents. She changed schools often due to her dad's travels, but spent her high school years in Texarkana and graduated from Mt. Vernon High School in 1955. During her time there she was a member of the band and was a majorette. She was also crowned first runner-up in the National Dr. Pepper basketball tournament beauty pageant. She attended Tyler Jr. College and was a two year member of the Apache Belles. She was a long time member of the Tyler Junior League and was active in the Children's Theater. She later obtained her real estate license and worked for Baker Lucas Realty, Wayne Jones Realty, and ERA Harris Realty. She was an active member of Marvin United Methodist Church, serving as an usher and greeter during the 8:45 Power Praise Service. She was a member of the Seekers Sunday School Class and Wednesday Night Bible study. Barbara was a resident of her beloved Tyler for 50 years. Although she had countless friends in her church and community, her family was her greatest pride and joy. There are not enough words to describe her: generous, compassionate, supportive, genuine, positive, optimistic, and an ideal role model. Her husband, Larry, describes her as his "entire life" and her father, Bill, as his "living Angel". Her numerous pastimes included dance, gardening, hunting, reading, sewing, and needlework. She was described as the "neatest Granny", taking tap dance lesson after fifty years of age. She was predeceased by her mother, Mrs. Jerry Copeland. She is survived by her husband of 33 years Judge Larry Craig; her four sons, Claude Holley and wife Terry of Corpus Christi, Jim Holley of Tyler, Ken Holley and wife Judy of Tyler, and Bill Holley and wife Lydia of Frankston; daughter, Toni Halbrooks and husband Gary of Tyler; father, Dr. Kennard "Bill" Copeland of Tyler; brother, Dr. Kenneth Copeland and wife Lucia of Oklahoma City, OK; thirteen grandchildren: Susan Dees, Whitney Holley, Christopher Holley, Cameron Holley, Savannah Holley, Franklin Holley, Lindsey Holley, Craig Halbrooks, Barry Holley, Melissa Holley, Rebecca Holley, Carter Halbrooks and Carrie Halbrooks. The family will receive friends from 6:30-8:00 P.M. Tuesday at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Hwy., south Tyler, 75703. Services are scheduled for 11:00 A.M., Wednesday, September 7, 2005, at Marvin United Methodist Church with Dr. Michael Dent officiating. Pallbearers are the grandchildren. Honorary Pallbearers are the Seekers Sunday School Class of Marvin U.M.C., Sheriff J. B. Smith, Dr. Walter Johnson, and A. D. Clark. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery under direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. Because of her deep concern for the victims of the recent hurricane, in lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be made to the Tyler Salvation Army, Katrina Hurricane Fund.

Barbara Craig

November 29, 1937 - September 5, 2005