Alda Marie Blackwood Craft

(October 10, 1923 ~ March 7, 2011)

Alda Marie Blackwood Craft, daughter of Otto Everett Blackwood and Minnie Pearl Taylor, married to William Ross Craft and buried in Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery, Dallas, Dallas County, Texas.

Alda Blackwood Craft, 87, of Dallas, died at her daughter's home in Denton and passed into the presence of her Lord on Monday, March 7, 2011. Her family was the light of her life and she dedicated herself to loving each one unconditionally. She was a classic old fashioned mother – always there with hugs, homemade meals, warm cookies and words of encouragement. Alda began her life as a premature infant, born to Otto Everett and Minnie Pearl (Taylor) Blackwood in Tuscola, TX on October 10,1923. The local doctor thought she had no chance of survival, but her father hired a private duty nurse to care for her and she was kept in the oven for warmth, lying in a boot box lined with hot water bottles. She was fed with a dropper and began to gain strength and thrive.

She married William Ross Craft on February 24, 1946 and he preceded her in death on December 13, 1996. Her legacy was great – she created a home in which all were welcome. In her latter years, she was associated with her husband with American Wrecking Company of Dallas.

Alda valued education as she was valedictorian of her high school class but due to the Depression and WWII, was unable to pursue her dreams of a college education. She was thrilled to witness as both children earned terminal degrees. She was an amazingly elegant and courageous woman who endured the burden of diminished mobility with dignity and grace.

Mrs. Craft is survived by her son and daughter in law, E. Ross Craft, JD and Karen (her "beautiful brown eyed daughter") of Houston and daughter, Cherie M. Craft, PhD of Denton.She is also survived by ‘adopted children' Delmer and Hope Pinson and Dean Mulkey whom she dearly loved and depended upon. She derived great joy and comfort from her granddogs – Minnie Pearl, Dustin, Schroeder, Mike and Bob. The family wishes to thank R. Ellwood Jones, MD for his friendship and superb medical care throughout the years and Faith Presbyterian Hospice for their compassionate attention during her final weeks.

A graveside funeral service will be held at 2 pm Friday, March 11, 2011 at Hillcrest Memorial Park, 7405 W. Northwest Highway, Dallas with Reverend Don Blackley officiating. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park. There will be a visitation on Thursday, March 10, 2011 at the Mulkey- Mason Funeral Home, 705 N Locust , Denton from 5 to 7 pm. A visitation will be held in Dallas on Friday, March 11, 2011, from 12 noon to 1:30 pm at Chapel East of Hillcreast Mausoleum before the graveside service.

If desired, donations may be made in her memory to either the 36th Infantry Texas Military Forces Museum, Camp Mabry, P.O. Box 5218, Austin. Texas 78763 or to Faith Presbyterian Hospice Foundation, 6100 Colwell Blvd, Suite 225, Irving, Texas 75039.