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Mr. Charles Thomas Craton, Jr. age 89, a lifetime resident of Rome and Floyd County, passed away on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 27th at his home at 27 Pear Street.
Mr. Craton was born in Floyd County on July 7, 1919, son of the late Charles T. Craton, Sr. and Annie Mae Mull Craton, both of Rome. He was educated at Cave Spring High School. During WWII, Mr. Craton served in the 501st and 506th Regiments of the 101st Airborne during the liberation of Europe. After the war, he was employed for several years by Sherwin Williams Paint Company before joining Battey Machinery Company, where he served for 38 years prior to his retirement as Director of Purchasing in 1982. Mr. Craton was a former Worthy Patron of the Etowah Chapter of the Order of the Easter Star, a member of the Cherokee Masonic Lodge, a Shriner, and an avid ham radio operator for over 50 years. Mr. Craton was a member of the Shanklin-Attaway Post 5 of the American Legion and a member of West Rome Baptist Church for over 56 years serving in numerous capacities with a humble heart. During his retirement, Mr. Craton enjoyed traveling with his son, studying his family genealogy, attending WWII reunions, and staying in touch with his family and relatives around the county.
Mr. Craton is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Charles T. Craton, III and Susan Craton, Rome, daughter Greer Fay Brock, Rome, grandchildren Charles Thomas Craton, IV and Calley Craton, Rome, Denise Brock, Adairsville, great grandchildren David Brock, Rome and Steven Whatley, Adairsville, brothers, Larry Craton, St. Petersburg, FL, and Harold Craton, Seminole, FL, and one sister, Patty Sue Spikes, Merryville, LA. Mr. Craton is blessed with a host of nephews, nieces and wonderful friends.
Mr. Craton is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 62 years, Flossie Mae Craton, two sisters, Louise Craton, Rome, and Natalia Teal, Merryville, LA, and one brother, Crocker Craton, Smyrna.
Mr. Craton will lie in state at Henderson and Sons Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 5pm to 8pm, Monday, December 1st.
Funeral services for Mr. Craton will be held at 2pm on Tuesday at the Pleasant Hope Baptist Church on the Rockmart Road with Rev. Wayne Styres and Rev. Bob Skelton officiating. Interment will follow at the family gravesite at Pleasant Hope Baptist Church cemetery.
Pallbearers include his grandson, Thomas Craton, Rome, great grandsons David Brock, Rome and Steven Whatley, Adairsville, and nephews Karl Craton, Mechanicsville, MD, Frank Spikes, Reston, VA and Alan Greer, Albany.
Honorary Pallbearers include Keith Slagg, Harley Mercer, Wayne Clemons, Bill Strain, Jack Atha, CL Tate, Charles Bailey, Hugh Davis, John Self, Willie Self, Jerome Rose, Jack Morton, Oscar Bryant, Stewart Griffith, Rodney Dillard, and Herb McCartney. All pallbearers should meet at the Pleasant Hope Baptist Church at 1:30pm.
Mr. Craton was born in Floyd County on July 7, 1919, son of the late Charles T. Craton, Sr. and Annie Mae Mull Craton, both of Rome. He was educated at Cave Spring High School. During WWII, Mr. Craton served in the 501st and 506th Regiments of the 101st Airborne during the liberation of Europe. After the war, he was employed for several years by Sherwin Williams Paint Company before joining Battey Machinery Company, where he served for 38 years prior to his retirement as Director of Purchasing in 1982. Mr. Craton was a former Worthy Patron of the Etowah Chapter of the Order of the Easter Star, a member of the Cherokee Masonic Lodge, a Shriner, and an avid ham radio operator for over 50 years. Mr. Craton was a member of the Shanklin-Attaway Post 5 of the American Legion and a member of West Rome Baptist Church for over 56 years serving in numerous capacities with a humble heart. During his retirement, Mr. Craton enjoyed traveling with his son, studying his family genealogy, attending WWII reunions, and staying in touch with his family and relatives around the county.
Mr. Craton is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Charles T. Craton, III and Susan Craton, Rome, daughter Greer Fay Brock, Rome, grandchildren Charles Thomas Craton, IV and Calley Craton, Rome, Denise Brock, Adairsville, great grandchildren David Brock, Rome and Steven Whatley, Adairsville, brothers, Larry Craton, St. Petersburg, FL, and Harold Craton, Seminole, FL, and one sister, Patty Sue Spikes, Merryville, LA. Mr. Craton is blessed with a host of nephews, nieces and wonderful friends.
Mr. Craton is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 62 years, Flossie Mae Craton, two sisters, Louise Craton, Rome, and Natalia Teal, Merryville, LA, and one brother, Crocker Craton, Smyrna.
Mr. Craton will lie in state at Henderson and Sons Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 5pm to 8pm, Monday, December 1st.
Funeral services for Mr. Craton will be held at 2pm on Tuesday at the Pleasant Hope Baptist Church on the Rockmart Road with Rev. Wayne Styres and Rev. Bob Skelton officiating. Interment will follow at the family gravesite at Pleasant Hope Baptist Church cemetery.
Pallbearers include his grandson, Thomas Craton, Rome, great grandsons David Brock, Rome and Steven Whatley, Adairsville, and nephews Karl Craton, Mechanicsville, MD, Frank Spikes, Reston, VA and Alan Greer, Albany.
Honorary Pallbearers include Keith Slagg, Harley Mercer, Wayne Clemons, Bill Strain, Jack Atha, CL Tate, Charles Bailey, Hugh Davis, John Self, Willie Self, Jerome Rose, Jack Morton, Oscar Bryant, Stewart Griffith, Rodney Dillard, and Herb McCartney. All pallbearers should meet at the Pleasant Hope Baptist Church at 1:30pm.
I was fortunate enough to meet Mr Craton at the Camp Toccoa Reunion a few years back (where I also met up with Emerson Bigguns). I'll always remember the first time I saw him as he came in to the old Stephens County Historical Society building. He had the biggest smile on his face and he came over and said hello and shook my hand. He seemed one of the nicest, kindest people I've ever seen. Later that day, at the book signing, he was kind enough to autograph my copy of Mark Bando's book. He wrote his address in the book, and that Christmas I sent him a card. He sent me a letter back thanking me, and said that he'd tried to find my phone number so he could call me. I sent it along and he did call. The year after, the 501st PIR had their reunion in Ft. Mitchell, KY near Cincinnati, and I made it a point to go over to see him. I spent a couple of wonderful hours visiting with him there.
I wish I could have a few more.
