Idonia Pace-Craig

Idonia Pace began her journey of life on October 16, 1911, at Buena Vista near Camden, Arkansas, as the daughter of Bolonia and Janie McIntyre Pace. She accepted Christ as her personal Lord and Savior at a tender age. She was raised by her grandparents Tony and Pearl McIntyre. Idonia later moved to Camden to work and live with Uncle Ike (Coleman Holmes) and Aunt Bell. In 1937 after a brief courtship and on the porch of Uncle Ike’s and Aunt Bell’s home she became Mrs. Idonia Pace Craig, when she married the handsome Ment Craig her sweetheart and one true love; and together they laid a solid foundation for family life based on love, commitment, and Christian values. They later became proud parents of three caring and devoted children Betty Jo, Isaiah and Lawrence. The Lord also added to their union Mildred, Louise, Rose and Sam. In 1940 Ment and Idonia moved to “Craigtown”. She united with the Harmony Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. W. H. Dudley. Her faith always presented a bright lighthouse in her life and the life of her family. She was a faithful worker at Harmony Baptist Church where she served dutifully with the missionary society, as a choir member, and a Sunday school teacher until her health would no longer permit her to do so. She was a member of Order of Eastern Star. Idonia was a part of that generation that counted motherhood as a virtue because mothers knew the difference between a house and home. So Idonia’s golden accomplishment in life was to make a loving home that would produce a tapestry of memories her family would forever cherish. She was that warm hand on a cold morning; that voice of wisdom and reason when the world was upside-down; that vessel of hope that carried loved ones and friends safely across rivers of change in their lives and that prayerful servant who blessed the Lord at all times. In her 98th season of life, Idonia received her blessing of immortality on, Wednesday, November 4, 2009, at her home in Craigtown surrounded by her daughter, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, other family members and friends. Idonia was welcomed home by her loving husband, Ment Craig who made his transition on June 9, 1994 and her parents. Because love is far greater that death Idonia departs this earth in body only. Her gentle smile and infectious laugh lives on in the memories, minds and hearts of her children: Betty Jo Craig of Sparkman, AR, Isiah (Minnie) Craig of Carthage, AR, Lawrence (Pearl) Craig of Rockford, IL, Mildred Thomas of St. Paul, MN, Louise Felt of Duluth, MN, Rose (John) Hope of San Antonio, TX, and Sam (Coral) McCurling of Duluth, MN; 39 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren, and 13 great-great grandchildren. She also leaves three sisters-in-law, Maeliza Harrison of Sparkman, AR, Leland McIntyre of Camden, AR, and Mariah Henderson of Sparkman, AR; a very special friend, Annie Bell Jefferson of Sparkman, AR; and a caravan of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and numerous friends. Mrs. Craig will lie in state at on Tuesday, November 10, 2009 from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. The family will receive friends and share with them the Images of Life DVD from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at Harmony Baptist Church in Sparkman. A homegoing celebration will be held on Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. in the sanctuary of Harmony Baptist Church where Rev. Harvey Goodwin is the pastor. Elder G. C. Nolen the pastor of New Hope COGIC will preach the homgoing message. The committal service and final resting place will be in Harmony Community Cemetery in Sparkman, Arkansas. Bearers of the casket will be Reggie Craig, Ollie Hughes, Anthony Scott, James Gatlin, Terry Gregory, Joseph Hall and Brian Gerrard. Honorary beaers of the casket will be the Deacons of Harmony Baptist Church.