John "Josh" A.C. Cragg

JOHN "JOSH" A.C. CRAGG, age 93, of Alto, Georgia, went home to Heaven on Monday, December 10, 2012, after an extended illness. He was born on February 19, 1919, in Gordon County, Georgia to the late Anderson and Ida Cragg. He was the youngest of 11 children. John got the nickname "Josh" at a very early age and was most commonly known by Josh in his life. The family moved to the Alto area when Josh was 2 years old. The family worked hard raising their crops and living off the land. When he was 21 years old, he entered the Army during World War II and proudly served his country. After he returned home, he married Lois Russell and they had four children. He worked hard providing for his family by working full time jobs in addition to raising chickens. He always had a garden and was well known for having the best sweet potatoes, peas, and green beans. He was a member of Enon Baptist Church and was an ordained deacon for over 40 years. He loved his church and the church family and always had a burden for the lost. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Alice Kirby, Dovie Crider, Pearlene Terry, Conie Parker, Rosie Kelly, Mattie Jo Wheeler, and Mellie Jo Wilbanks; brothers, Clyde Cragg, Levi Cragg, and Canie Cragg; and one infant grandson, Isaac Pitts. He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Lois Cragg, Alto, GA; daughters and sons-in-law, Carolyn and Larry Palmer, Demorest, GA, Evelyn and Raymond Payne, Cornelia, GA, and Ann and Tom Jones, Alto, GA; son and daughter-in-law, Paul and Loretta Cragg, Lula, GA; granddaughters, Angela Palmer Lee, Kayla Cragg Fouts, and Elizabeth Pitts Hannas; grandsons, Andrew Palmer, Chad Payne, Kent Payne, Tommy Cragg, and Adam Cragg; great-grandchildren, Tristan Payne, Savannah Payne, Austin Payne, Colton Shadburn, Luke Hannas, Amos Lee, and Cameron Fouts; and many well loved nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 12, 2012, at Enon Baptist Church in Alto with Rev. Loyd Martin, Rev. Chad Payne, and Rev. Josh Herrington officiating. Burial will follow in Yonah Memorial Gardens with military honors provided. The family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. on Tuesday, December 11, 2012, at Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, Baldwin, Georgia. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Enon Baptist Church, 7321 Old Cornelia Highway, Alto, Georgia 30510 or to the charity of one's choice that would honor the life of Josh. Those wishing to express online condolences to the Cragg family may do so by visiting www.whitfieldfuneralhomes.com. Arrangements are in the care of Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, Baldwin, Georgia.