Loretta Marie (Taylor) Craig, a beloved mother, grandmother and friend who honorably served Stewart County High School as an educator and counselor until her retirement in 2015, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2018, at Diversicare in Dover, Tenn. She was 81.

Mrs. Craig, who was born in New York City on Jan. 27, 1937, graduated from Weehawken (N.J.) High School. She travelled by train to Clarksville, Tenn., to continue her education, earning a degree in English from Austin Peay State College and performing with the Governorettes drill team. While at Austin Peay, she met the man who would become her husband, Billy Bruce “Coach” Craig.

On June 28, 1956, Mr. and Mrs. Craig were married at First Baptist Church in Clarksville and soon after moved to Dover when Mr. Craig took a teaching and coaching position at Stewart County High School. She later joined the faculty there, and they both became respected educators committed to helping the young people of their community.

While at Stewart County High School Mrs. Craig taught English, and after receiving a master’s in school counseling from Austin Peay she became the school’s guidance counselor, a position she treasured. As a tribute to her dedicated service to SCHS, the school’s guidance counseling department was named in her honor.

Mrs. Craig also enjoyed serving as a sponsor for Student Council and the cheerleading squad. Her creativity and ability to connect with young people were evident in her enthusiasm and enjoyment of helping students plan dances and build floats for the Homecoming parade.

In her free time, Mrs. Craig liked to travel, play bridge, garden and teach Sunday School at First Baptist Church in Dover. She enjoyed spending time with her family and was especially proud of her five grandsons, to whom she was a terrific grandmother and known as someone who would humorously slip them a $20 bill to “buy a hamburger.”

Mrs. Craig is preceded in death by her parents, Buford Taylor and Laura Cayce Taylor Buswink; her stepfather, Alexander Buswink; her sister, Peggy Taylor Kirkpatrick; and her husband, Mr. Craig.

She is survived by her children, Bruce Craig (Andrea) of Dover, Mike Craig (Mary) of Dover and Laura Craig Trainer (Eric) of Knoxville, Tenn., and five grandsons: Dylan Craig, Taylor Craig, Patrick Craig, Cameron Trainer and Griffin Trainer.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday at 2 p.m. at Anglin Funeral Home with Rev. George Miller officiating. Burial will follow in the Hillcrest Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 17, from 4-8 p.m. and on Sunday, February 18, from noon-2 p.m. at Anglin Funeral Home in Dover.

In lieu of other memorials, donations may be made to the Bill and Loretta Craig Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o F&M Bank in Dover. Arrangements are entrusted to Anglin Funeral Home, Inc. Dover, TN.