Pauline Craft, 97 of Butler, Missouri, passed away February 14, 2018 at Medicalodge of Butler. Funeral services will be 10:00 AM Monday, February 19, 2018 at Virginia United Methodist Church with Pastor Julie Nelson officiating.
Visitation will be from 5-7 PM Sunday, February 18 at the Mullinax Funeral Home (660-679-0009) in Butler. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Virginia United Methodist Church. Messages and memories for the family may be left at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.
Mildred Pauline (Thomas) Craft was born October 13, 1920 in Butler, Missouri, daughter of John Wesley and Minnie Irene (Turpin) Thomas. She attended school through the 11th grade in Butler, and was united in marriage to Kenneth Craft on March 6, 1939 in Nevada, Missouri.
Pauline was a lifelong resident of Bates County, and a member of the Virginia UMC since 1957. She and Kenneth farmed dairy and livestock, and Pauline was a dedicated farm wife and mother. She often provided lunches for those working in the fields and was described as one of the best hay rakers you’d ever meet. In her younger years, she and her husband grew everything they ate. Pauline was always proud of the things she made to include quilts, apparel for her family, doll clothes, wood toys, wood picnic chairs and whittled carvings – there truly was not a medium she couldn’t conquer. She would often critique her own work (and that of others!) to see if it couldn’t be improved in some way. She was proud of her children and grandchildren, and would often update the various family members on what the others had accomplished. Throughout her life, she was accurately described as a spitfire.
Pauline was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, brothers Elvin and William, sisters Mary and Louise, sons Wayne and Tom, grandson Rusty and great-granddaughter Jenna. She is survived by her son Ray Craft and wife Joy of Amoret, grandchildren Dick, Larry, Linda, Wendy, Dustin, Debbie, Kelly, and Julie; 23 great-grandchildren; and 11 great-great-grandchildren.
