Mary Frances Craft Johnson

Born to John Thomas Craft and Lillian Speight Craft in Walstonburg, NC, Frances was the oldest daughter of 8 children. She is preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Junior, Joe Lee, Kirby, Bill, Edward Joseph (Nub) and Barbara Jean.

Raised on a tobacco farm in the 30s and 40s, Frances learned the value of hard work and personal sacrifice at an early age. She was forever impacted by the drowning of her brother Bill at the tender age of 18, just after she was married. This heartache set the stage for her protective nature toward her sons and the children she cared for as a teacher. Frances soon adjusted to city life when she married Lynwood Earl Johnson of Hookerton at 19 and they moved to High Point where Lynwood was stationed with the NC Highway Patrol. Frances enjoyed her role as homemaker and mother to her two sons, Lynwood Jr (Lenny) and Gary Thomas and was an active member at College Heights Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School to toddlers. Following a move to Asheville in 1968 - Frances and Lynwood joined Biltmore Baptist Church where they continued their active roles and Frances taught Sunday School to the elementary kids. Recognizing her deep love for children and heart for teaching, Frances was lured back to the working world by Frank Lewis, Principal of Biltmore Elementary School who convinced her to take a role as an Teachers Aide in the new Kindergarten program. Frances soon expanded her responsibilities to bus driver where she could expand her role of caretaker to the kids. After Biltmore school closed and Estes Elementary opened in Skyland, Bill Estes convinced Frances to continue in her Aide position and assigned her to support Carolyn Baldwin and the third graders. She continued as a bus driver and Aide for Carolyn until her retirement. Frances leaves a legacy of numerous successful adults today that were shaped by the love and devotion that she helped instill in them during her 50 years as a Sunday School teacher and 20+ years as a Teachers Aide

Frances is survived by her husband of 62 years, Lynwood who has also been her devoted care giver and best friend, her sons Lenny and his wife Mary of Belmont and Gary and his wife Kalen of Raleigh. She also is survived by her grandchildren, Kristin Johnson Ellison and her husband Brian of Chapel Hill, Kelly Michele Johnson and Matthew Thomas Johnson of Raleigh, Lindsey Nicole Johnson of Belmont, Jennifer Nicole Johnson of Winston Salem and step grandchildren Mark Etheredge of Belmont and wife Megan and Allison Etheredge of Belmont. She is also survived by her sister Bet Messer and her husband Floyd Messer, Jr of Emerald Isle along with numerous nieces and nephews

The family wishes to acknowledge the tremendous love and support provided throughout Frances' life and extended illness by Kitty Wilson, Norma Pulliam, Marshall and Faye Muse, Carolyn Baldwin and Polly Bryson - all of Asheville along with Carolyn Fuqua and the Prayer Warriors of Biltmore Baptist Church. Also the family wishes to thank the staff members of Sunrise of Raleigh that supported, loved and cared for Frances for the past 2 1/2 years - especially Jim Mobley, Joannetta Reid, Trinidy Chavis, Chantay Henderson, Lulu King, Sonia Anderson, Lynn Hobson, Nancy Effah, Jacquiline Williams, Kateena Pearson and Betty Thompson.

In lieu of Flowers the family suggests a donation to:

https://newtown.uwwesternct.org/