Craft, Margaret Elizabeth Daughtry

Musician, Educator, And Volunteer

  • Saturday, January 20, 2018
Margaret Craft
Margaret Craft

Margaret Elizabeth Daughtry Craft won her fight with pancreatic cancer on Friday, January 19, 2018.

She was born in 1948, in Fishersville, Va., and Margaret and Butch moved to Chattanooga in 1971. 

Margaret graduated from Wilson Memorial H.S. in Fishersville, VA, B.S. in Music Education from Radford College with emphasis on piano and organ, and Masters of Education from University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. While at Radford, she also played the tuba in the marching band and was a member of the choir, Mu Phi Epsilon, Music Educators National Conference and played piano for numerous musicals. Later, she served numerous churches in the Chattanooga area as organist. In the early 70s Margaret was active in local arts serving as president of the Civic Arts League. She was also involved with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at the state and local levels 10 years, often leading fundraising and support groups.

She taught high school choir in Virginia, taught at Orange Grove School for three years, worked in administration at Scenic Land School for three years and taught preschool at St. John’s Methodist church for three years.  Her last 22 years of work were as the director and owner of the Honors Learning Center where she guided students kindergarten through adult on math, reading, test taking, study skills, and many other skills.  Margaret loved her students and staff and wishes to thank them for many good years.  During this time, she was active in the Chamber of Commerce, serving in several positions including president of the East Brainerd Branch.

Margaret was a long-standing member of Brainerd Presbyterian Church where she served on many committees including the Board of Deacons, Shepherds Program, Local and International Missions, and Personnel.  One of her biggest loves since retirement in 2009 was planning and overseeing the Ronald and Judy Ragon Memorial Garden at the church.  All visitors are encouraged to walk through the garden, enjoy the plantings, and spend time in prayer. 

Another one of Margaret’s loves was serving on the board of directors of Channels of Love, a ministry to HIV and AIDS patients. She particularly loved the staff, volunteers, and clients and spending time on art projects and leading music.

Margaret’s retirement years were spent traveling with her travel buddies, painting, walking, crocheting lap robes for Hospice, reading, gardening, and spending time with family and friends.

Margaret wants to thank all of her family, friends, church, neighbors, the staff of TN Oncology, Hospice of Chattanooga and caregivers.

Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, Purcell Joseph Daughtry and Dorothy Mowry Daughtry of Fishersville, Va., husband, Willard H. Craft III (Butch) in 2004, and her daughter, Anna Elizabeth Craft in 2003. 

Margaret is survived by her son, Aaron Brooks Craft; granddaughter, Emily Amanda Craft and grandson, Eli Aaron Craft. She is also survived by her sister, Joan D. Leake (Carl Persing) of Waynesboro, VA; two brothers, Robert Daughtry (Judy) of Richmond, VA, and William Daughtry (Betsy) of Suffolk, VA; two nieces, Susan Daughtry (Brian Dowdy) of Minneapolis MN, and Katie D. Jones (Chris) of Richmond, VA and one great nephew, Luca Dowdy.

A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 22, at the church. At her request, her ashes will be scattered in a private ceremony at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Memory Garden at Brainerd Presbyterian Church.

Visitation will be held one hour before the service at Brainerd Presbyterian Church, 1624 Jenkins Road, Chattanooga, Tn. 37421.

Please visit www.heritagechattanooga.com to share words of comfort.

Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral home, East Brainerd Road.

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