Tamra Craig

Tamra Elaine Craig, age 69, was born on April 26, 1951, in Dona Ana, New Mexico to Bill and Wanda Abernathy and joined her heavenly Father August 8, 2020. She married Jimmy Craig on June 2, 1979, in Hereford, Texas. She is survived by her husband Jimmy Craig; her children Rhonda Lopez, Reneé Craig, and Jamie Craig; her six grandchildren, Maya and Luca López, Ethan and Gavin Craig, and Bryce and Beau Roach; her brother Frank Abernathy; her niece Billie Brooke Linthicum and her two children Branson and Brodie; her nephew Ron Abernathy and his two children Hunter and Jayden.

Elaine was a devoted wife, mother, grannie, and aunt. As a teenager she played many sports and participated in many activities including the Office Education Association at Goddard High School where she graduated in 1969. Before she married Jimmy, she worked three jobs as a single mother while raising her two girls. When Jimmy came into their lives, she continued to work hard, and helped him build a successful law practice, later running her own business as a Mary Kay Sales Director. Through her Mary Kay business Elaine helped many women, including her own two daughters to build their own businesses. Elaine believed strongly that any woman had the ability to work hard and be successful no matter what obstacles they might face in life.

Every year, Elaine would open the ‘Craig Oasis’ (her beautiful pool) on her birthday. She loved spending time in it and having her family over to enjoy in the fun. She loved to fill her garden and house with colorful flowers. Elaine loved to bake more than she like to cook, but her famous chicken and dumplings and spaghetti sauce never failed to please the many people who came to the Craig’s home for meals. Every Christmas she would bake pounds and pounds of her famous toffee and rum cake for everyone she knew. She loved to crochet and make blankets for her family.

Elaine was one of the most generous of people. She would always say “give while you can.” She was strong willed in her convictions, independent, hard-working, loving and giving. Her Faith in Jesus was unshakeable, and she held strong to her Christian beliefs and values. She gave her all in everything she did and to all she loved. Even in her last days she put those around her first. She loved and valued her family above all, and her legacy lives on in the lives she touched.

In lieu of flowers to honor her generosity and her brave battle against cancer, her family asks for donations to be made the Chaves County Cancer Fund by phoning 575-637-9550 or www.walkforhopechavescounty.com or St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital found at www.stjudes.org or by phone at 1- 800-805-5856.

The family is very understanding of the risks associated with large gatherings at this time, and very understanding of anyone who does not feel comfortable taking the risk to attend in person. The service will also be hosted live on Facebook via the Berrendo Baptist Church page. They also would like to request for those who choose to attend in person, to please wear a mask, as many high-risk family members will be in attendance.