Nina Craft Gary

Nina Gary Tupelo - Nina Pearl Craft Gary, 91, born August 31, 1922, in Raleigh, Mississippi to John and Bessie Craft went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Wednesday, July 16, 2014, after a brief stay at The North Mississippi Medical Center. She passed away peacefully, surrounded by her daughters, Lynn and JoAnn, to her eternal home in Heaven. Nina, who had seven older sisters and one younger brother, grew up on the family farm in Raleigh and walked three miles to school each day. After graduating from Raleigh High School in 1940, she moved to Washington D. C. with two friends. For almost a year, she worked for the government before settling in Jackson, Mississippi where she was employed with the State Department. In Jackson, she met and married her husband, Joe, in September of 1950. They lived in a number of states before making their home in Tupelo in 1973. She had a genuine love of people and gathered lifelong friends in each of the cities she lived. She was an active member of First Baptist Church, where she attended Sunday School, taught seventh grade girls, and served in the nursery. Nina loved collecting things that were interesting to her, such as seeds, rocks, feathers and nativity scenes. She enjoyed walking and reading; especially her beloved Bible. She read the entire Bible at least three times. People who knew Nina knew first and foremost of her love of Jesus and her eagerness to share His saving grace with anyone she met. She was a faithful witness supporting various Christian ministries, including The American Bible Society, French Camp Academy, Baptist Children's Village, and Samaritan's Purse. Memorials may be made to The American Bible Society in her honor, 1865 Broadway, New York, New York 10023-7505. Survivors include her daughters, Lynn Gary Weber (Reinhart) of Dallas, TX and JoAnn Gary Kennedy (Danny) of Tupelo; four grandchildren, Jennifer Poynor of Dallas, TX, John Poynor of Austin, TX, Todd Kennedy (Catherine) of Tupelo and Daniel Kennedy (Emily) of Medina, TN; two great-grandchildren Taylor Kennedy of Medina, TN and Webb Kennedy of Tupelo; one sister-in-law, Pauline Craft of Plantersville. She is preceded in death by her husband, Joe Gary; her parents; her seven sisters, Vera Thompson, Gladys Headrick, Eula Mae Hawkins, Mavis Saxon, Willie Tramel, Tessel Harris, Eunice Greene; and one brother, John Craft. A celebration of her life will be 10 a.m. Saturday, July 19, 2014, at The Jefferson Street Chapel of W. E. Pegues Funeral Directors with Dr. Gayle Alexander officiating. Graveside services to follow at 4 p.m. at Lakewood Memorial Park in Jackson, MS. Visitation will be 9 - 10 a.m. Saturday, July 19, 2014, at W. E. Pegues, Tupelo.