Beverly Olive Young Craig

Beverly Olive Young Craig died on December 12, 2013. She was born September 2, 1922 in DeRidder, Louisiana near the town of Neame where her father was doctor for a timber and sawmill company. Her parents moved to Abbeville when she was an infant, and resided there until 1946 when she moved to Baton Rouge. Beverly is survived by a son Frank S. Craig, III, Baton Rouge and his sons Kyle Coleman Craig (wife Carla) and Brenden Taylor Craig (wife Kristen) and their two boys Brady and John Francis; a daughter Beverly Claire Craig (partner Stephani Lourie), Bozeman MT, and her sons Eli Matthew Craig Cherry and Isaac Lourie; a daughter Nancy Jo Craig, Baton Rouge, and her son Jesse Stewart Goodell  (wife Sara); a son Dr. Robert L. Craig, Baton Rouge, (wife Izumi M. Craig), and their daughters Mary Frances Craig Duhon (husband Mark Duhon) and Jennifer Claire Craig; and a daughter Anne Olive Craig, New York; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Frank S. Craig, Jr. and by her parents Dr. Robert J. Young Sr. and Mae Ingram Young, her brother Dr. Robert J. "Sonny" Young Jr. and an infant brother Frank Young. Beverly was educated in the public schools of Abbeville and graduated from high school at Dominican College in New Orleans. She entered college at the Our Lady of the Lake College in San Antonio. After World War II started she transferred to LSU from which she graduated in 1943. She was selected as the Darling of LSU in 1943. During the war, Beverly worked with the Red Cross in rolling bandages and sending packages to the soldiers and Marines. She worked at a Navy base near New Orleans and had applied for over-seas service when the war ended. Beverly met her husband Frank in 1945 when he was a patient at the Navy hospital in New Orleans, and they were married on December 27 of that year. They moved to Baton Rouge in 1946 where he practiced law. She gave birth to 5 children; Frank in 1947, Claire in 1950, Nancy Jo in 1953, Robert in 1958, and Anne in 1960. She was a very loving and beloved mother. She was very active in the parent/teachers associations of each of the schools that her children attended, especially in developing the various libraries. At one school she headed a drive for funds to air-condition a classroom. One year when all five children were in school, she drove 25,000 miles in her work with their schools. Beverly was an early member of the Junior Service League, later to become the Junior League of Baton Rouge. As her time allowed, she was very active in projects of the Junior League, such as the first restoration of the Old Governors Mansion and the Old State Capitol and the creation and work of the Louisiana Arts and Science Center. In later years she became a member of the Baton Rouge chapter of the LSU Alumni Association and at one time was Vice-President of that organization. She loved to play bridge, and for many years played often with various groups of friends. For many years she and her husband had a party before every LSU home game, and had a bus to take their guests to the game. She hosted many dinners and other forms of entertainment for friends, guests, relatives, and many organizations. Some of her recipes can be found in River Roads cookbook. Beverly had a full and productive life, blessed in every way. She was beloved by her children, her husband, and everyone who knew her. An incredible loving and generous spirit, she was truly beautiful inside and out. She died at home surrounded by family. Visitation will be at Rabenhorst Funeral Home (825 Government Street, Baton Rouge) on Monday, December 16, 2013 from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM.  A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, December 17th, 2013 at 10:00 AM at the Funeral Home.  Internment services will be private. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to Friends of the Animals Baton Rouge P.O. Box 14871, Baton Rouge, LA 70898. Sign the online condolence book atwww.rabenhorst.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.rabenhorst.com">www.rabenhorst.com