Mack Wayne Craig
1925-2011
Obituary For Mack Wayne Craig
CRAIG, Dr. Mack Wayne Age 85, passed away on March 1, 2011. He was born May 13, 1925 in Obion County, TN and was raised in Jacksonville, FL. A well-known preacher, educator, story teller and historian, he came to Nashville in 1943 to attend David Lipscomb College. He received his Associates Degree from Lipscomb in 1944, his Bachelor's degree from Vanderbilt in 1946, his Master's degree from Peabody in 1948, and his Ph.D. from Peabody in 1958.
Dr. Craig joined the Lipscomb faculty as a teacher at David Lipscomb High School and served as principal from 1949-1957. He served as academic dean of the college from 1957-1978 and was known to thousands as "Dean Craig" or "Doc." Generations of students remember the Tuesday night devotionals he lead on the steps of Alumni Auditorium. He served as Vice President for Institutional Planning from 1978-1983 and Director of the National Development Board until his retirement from Lipscomb in 1985.
Dr. Craig started preaching as a high school student in Florida at the St. Augustine Church of Christ. He served as minister of Nashville-area Churches of Christ for more than 60 years, including the Reid Avenue, Whites Creek, Charlotte Avenue, Vultee, Hillsboro, and the Allensville (KY) congregations. In his last years, he was an active member of the Crieve Hall Church of Christ. He held Gospel meetings widely and is remembered for leading singing at the 1962 Collins-Craig meeting (attended by over 90,000 people), which was the first event held in the Municipal Auditorium. Many remember his powerful sermon, 'There They Crucified Him," which he preached every Easter. After retirement from Lipscomb, Dr. Craig became a chaplain for the National Health Care Corporation, and enjoyed 25 years serving the residents and staff of area nursing homes. He was also a much loved trainer and speaker throughout the national organization.
Dr. Craig had a love for history, including old houses and antiques. He restored the Pinewood Mansion in Hickman County in 1968, and the Pepper Place in Allensville, KY in 1983. Each house was open for tours, available for catered events, and operated as an antique shop.
A noted story teller, Dr. Craig shared his love for Nashville and Civil War history with many groups, and was active in numerous organizations dedicated to Nashville and Tennessee history. He also loved historic travel, and over a span of 50 years led tour groups in the United States, Europe, the Far East, and the Bible Lands.
Dr. Craig was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Anne Discher (Dottie) Craig in 1959 and his grandson, James Discher Craig in 1999. He is survived by sons, Larry (Mary Lou) Craig and David (Sally) Craig, and daughter, Marnie Craig (David) Ferree. There are 5 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a brother, Richard (Jan) Craig and sister-in-law, Mary Margaret (Phillip) Morrison, and numerous nieces and nephews. The family offers special thanks to Tim Shelly, Patricia Berry, and all the staff at Richland Place for their extraordinary kindness in Dr. Craig's later years.
A funeral service will be conducted Friday, March 4, 2011 at 2 p.m., in the Collins Alumni Auditorium at David Lipscomb University (Limited parking is available on University Drive in front of the Burton Health Sciences Building on Belmont Blvd. Satellite parking with shuttle service is available at the old Stokes School at 3701 Belmont Boulevard.) Burial at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens will follow the service. Visitation will be from 2-8 p.m. on Thursday, March 3, 2011 at Crieve Hall Church of Christ and from 12:30-2 p.m. Friday at Alumni Auditorium. Active Pallbearers are Richard Jones, Bard Young, J.C. Craig, John Dawson, Steve Flatt and Aubrey Johnson. Honorary Pallbearers are Burton Grant, Jennings Davis, Bob Mason, Pat Boone, Carl McKelvey, Dennis Loyd, Rubel Shelly, Andy Adams, Ben Adams, Harold Bone, Joe Gill, Dan Andrews, and Keith Hagan. Dr. Craig requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Ukranian Education Center in care of Greg Hardeman, 4301 Hillsboro Rd., Ste. 300, Nashville, TN 37215. Known for his wit, generosity, his ties and his servant spirit, Dr. Craig was widely loved and will be fondly remembered.
-Obituary released by Dignity Funeral Home and Woodlawn Cemetery, Appeared in the Nashville Tennessean March 3 to March 4, 2011
Press Release From Lipscomb University Upon The Passing Of Mack Wayne Craig
Lipscomb University lost a great leader and friend March 1 with the passing of former dean and vice president Dr. Mack Wayne Craig.
A well-known preacher, educator, story teller and historian, Craig, 85, played a vital role in the life and history of Lipscomb University.
“During an association spanning nearly 70 years, Mack Craig was instrumental in the growth of Lipscomb University. His leadership helped to position Lipscomb as one of the leading academic institutions in the region, a reputation we celebrate and continue to build on today. As one of the most recognizable names among Churches of Christ, Dr. Craig encouraged thousands toward a closer relationship with God and lives of faith and service. Lipscomb University would not be the vibrant community it is today without the influence of Mack Craig,” said Lipscomb President L. Randolph Lowry.
In January 1943 Dr. Craig enrolled at Lipscomb University, beginning a relationship with Lipscomb that would eventually cover almost half of the university’s history. After completing his two- year program at what was then David Lipscomb College in 1944, Dr. Craig began teaching a senior bible class at David Lipscomb High School. Once earning his bachelor’s degree at Vanderbilt University in 1946, he began teaching Bible and Latin classes full-time at the high school. Dr. Craig was principal of the high school from 1949-57. He received a master’s degree in 1948 and a doctorate in 1958 from Peabody College.
In 1957 Dr. Craig was appointed academic dean at Lipscomb, where he earned the nickname of the “lean dean.” While serving as dean, Dr. Craig began the tradition of Tuesday night outdoor devotionals on the steps of Collins Alumni Auditorium. After serving as dean for 21 years, he was appointed the institution’s vice president for institutional planning, a position that he held from 1978-83. He also served on Lipscomb’s Executive Council, and in 1979 was appointed as the director of the National Development Board. He retired from the university in 1985.
Dr. Craig started preaching as a high school student in Florida at the St. Augustine Church of Christ. He served as minister of Nashville-area Churches of Christ for more than 60 years, including the Reid Avenue, Whites Creek, Charlotte Avenue, Vultee, Hillsboro, and the Allensville (KY) congregations. In his last years he was an active member of the Crieve Hall Church of Christ.
He held Gospel meetings widely and is remembered for leading singing at the 1962 Collins-Craig meeting (attended by over 90,000 people), which was the first event held in the Municipal Auditorium. Many remember his powerful sermon, “There They Crucified Him,” which he preached every Easter.
After retirement from Lipscomb, Dr. Craig became a chaplain for the National Health Care Corporation and enjoyed 25 years serving the residents and staff of area nursing homes. He was also a much loved trainer and speaker throughout the national organization.
Dr. Craig had a love for history, including old houses and antiques. He restored the Pinewood Mansion in Hickman County in 1968, and the Pepper Place in Allensville, KY in 1983. Each house was open for tours, available for catered events, and operated as an antique shop. A noted story teller, Dr. Craig shared his love for Nashville and Civil War history with many groups and was active in numerous organizations dedicated to Nashville and Tennessee history. He also loved historic travel, and over a span of 50 years led tour groups in the United States, Europe, the Far East, and the Bible Lands.
Dr. Craig was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Anne Discher (Dottie) Craig in 1959 and his grandson, James Discher Craig in 1999. He is survived by sons Larry (Mary Lou) Craig and David (Sally) Craig and daughter Marnie Craig (David) Ferree. There are 5 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. He is also survived by a brother, Richard (Jan) Craig, and sister-in-law Mary Margaret (Phillip) Morrison and numerous nieces and nephews.
Services were held Friday, March 4 in Lipscomb’s Collins Alumni Auditorium.
Source: http://www.lipscomb.edu/www/Filter/Item/0/20084
Watch the funeral on iTunes U [Download iTunes]
Read More On Dean Craig Here
Source: FaceBook / Group: Nashville Churches Of Christ
"This ad is from 4-28-1979 issue of "The Williamson Leader." Leiper's Fork is the oldest Church of Christ S. of Nashville (established 1830). Countless Lipscomb students knew this preacher as "Dean Craig." Paul Brown was educational director and song leader at several churches. Two of them were West End(Nashville) and 4th Avenue (Franklin)"
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Melvin Potts, January 26, 2021
Directions To The Grave of Mack Wayne Craig
Directions: Woodlawn Cemetery, Nashville, Tennessee, is located behind the 100 Oaks Shopping Center that faces I-65 just south of the I-440 Interchange In The Southern Part Of The City. From 100 Oaks travel east on Thompson Lane and pass the Pepsi Bottlers. Turn right into the second entrance to the South Park. Take a right up the hill and take another right. The Craig plot is on your right. Half way down the hill and to the right is the location of the grave. See cemetery map here. Woodlawn Memorial ParkCemetery 660 Thompson Lane Nashville, TN 37204 / phone 615-383-4754
GPS Location of the Grave:
36°06'38.7"N 86°45'35.6"W
or D.d. 36.110738, -86.759901
Mack Wayne Craig
1925-2011
Grave Photos Taken August, 2011
Other photos gleaned from various sites
Courtesy of Scott Harp
www.TheRestorationMovement.com
