Gussie True (Bolin) Craig

Gussie True Craig, 92, of Crossett, passed away at her home on December 13, 2022.  She was born in Milo, Arkansas, on April 1, 1930, to her parents, James Riley and Mary Doris Oden Bolin.  Growing up one of ten children, True understood the value of work.  Her family worked the farm, mainly sharecropping cotton and cutting timber during the off-season. 

Faith was introduced early to all in the Bolin household and was an integral part of each day.  In 1950, True’s father decided to become a full-time pastor, pastoring Beulahland Assembly of God and Cloverdale Assembly of God, among other churches.

Impacting lives with worship and song was the life True knew and the life she continued once she began her own family.

She and her husband of seventy-one years, Bruin Craig, remained active members of Cloverdale Assembly of God, raising their children in church and carrying on the family legacy.  True participated in all church functions, taking leading roles in the women’s and youth ministries and the ladies' quilting group, overseeing church plays, teaching Sunday School, and other activities.  True’s most loved church activity, however, was singing in the choir.  Her love for music and singing was unmistakable, often singing with her two daughters as the Craig Trio.

Besides singing, True had other talents, such as sewing, cooking, and flower gardening.  She was a cook for several years in the school cafeteria, and her love of flowers led her to open a flower shop in her home, eventually relocating to a renovated café which became known as True’s Florist.  Once retired, she joined the Ashley County Medical Center’s Ladies Auxiliary, volunteering whenever needed.

True was meticulous about most everything and the epitome of elegance.  She was a Christ-following matriarch who loved her church and especially loved her family.

She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Bruin Craig; one granddaughter, Sabrina Croswell; one great-great-grandson, Bruin Craig; and six siblings, Kenneth, Belva Jo, Jimmy, Jackie, and Luther Robert Bolin, and Gloria Taylor.

She leaves behind two daughters, Wandza Black (Larry) and Vickie Moon (Tommy), both of Crossett; two sons, Bruin Laderl Craig of Yazoo City, MS, and Riley Frank Craig (Melinda) of Milo, AR; three siblings, Carolyn Carter of Crossett, Rev. Harold Kenny Bolin (Janet) also of Crossett, and Joe Raymond Bolin (Zoe) of Dermott, AR; along with her exceptional caregivers, Ileasa, Bonnie, and Tanya Owens; seven grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; and fifteen great-great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, December 16th, at the Cloverdale Assembly of God Church, 132 Ashley Rd 15, in Crossett, with Bro.  Scott Wheeler and Pastor David Williams, officiating, followed by interment at Crossroads Cemetery under the direction of Medders Funeral Home.  Pallbearers are Stetson Moon, Downey Robinson, Brian Craig, Bradley Craig, Jamie Craig, Robbie Craig, and Bryson Wheeler.

Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 p.m., Thursday, December 15th, at Medders Funeral Home, 1564 Hwy 52 W, in north Crossett.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her honor to the Cloverdale AOG Church Missions.

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