Jerry Devon Craft

Jerry worked in the automobile business for more than 35+ years following his service in the U.S. Army. His positions over the years included sales, finance, and insurance manager, for various dealers in the Birmingham and Trussville areas. He retired in 1991. He and his wife, Marguerite Craft, are owners of the local Merle Norman Cosmetics. They have been in business for 55 years in Gardendale, Alabama.

Following his automotive retirement, he began to work and volunteer at Covenant Place and Covenant Woods in Gardendale. He loved to use his gifts of sales and fundraising to support the local community. Some of those organizations were: The Cornerstone Ranch, Hope Community Church’s Kids Kingdom Consignment Sale, and the Gardendale Farmer’s Market. He also loved to plan the Annual Ambassadors Sunday School Class Trips to Gatlinburg, Tn.

Jerry was an active member of Hope Community Church, (formerly Gardendale Mt. Vernon UMC), where he was a faithful member of the Ambassadors Sunday School Class, the Chancel Choir, and Men’s Chorus. His love of gospel music provided him the opportunity to sing in quartets/duets with family members and dear friends, as well as lead the music on Sunday nights at the Gardendale UMC for many years.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents John Henry and Lilla Belle McIntyre Craft of Fairview in Cullman County; two brothers, Howard Watson Craft of Midfield; J.C. Craft of Huntsville; and two sisters, Georgia Ellen Craft Thurston of Fairview and Emma Ozell Craft Causey of Oroville, Ca., as well as their spouses.

Survivors include his wife, Marguerite Clemmons Craft, daughter, Deborah Craft Givens (Ralph), son, Eric Alan Craft; two grandchildren, Brandt Warner Givens and Tyler McClain Givens, and a wonderful family of nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, at Hope Community Church in Gardendale, Alabama with Graveside Services following at Oakwood Cemetery in Gardendale, Alabama; Rev. Steve Baccus, Rev. Bob Craft, and Rev. Rudy Guess will be officiating. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Hope Community Church.

The family would like to thank the staff of UAB Palliative Comfort Care Unit, Expectcare Hospice, Centerwell Home Health and Healing Touch Caregivers for their compassionate and professional care.

In lieu of flowers, the family requested that you consider a memorial to Hope Community Church, The Cornerstone Ranch or UAB Center for Palliative and Supportive Care.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ridoutsgardendalechapel.com for the Craft family.