Martha Wagener Craig

1930 - 2023

Martha Wagener Craig was born February 25, 1930, to Matilda Butler Wagener and Charles H. Wagener in San Antonio, Texas.

Her love of animals and appreciation for the outdoors began from a very early age as she followed her brother, Jimmy, into the wilderness of Olmos Park, across the street from their house. When she was not tagging along with her brother, she was riding Maxie, her beloved Shetland pony.

Martha followed in the footsteps of her two older brothers, William Priest Kemper, and James Vardaman Kemper, and attended Alamo Heights School from kindergarten through twelfth grade.

Following college, Martha decided to move to Colorado. She loaded her horse in her trailer, drove to The Broadmoor Hotel, in Colorado Springs, and presented herself at the stables to ask for a job. Of course, she was hired, and thus achieved her goal of moving to the Rocky Mountains and working with horses every day.

Subsequently, mutual friends introduced her to William H. Craig. Bill was a rancher who shared Martha's love for horses, dogs, and the outdoors.

After their wedding in 1956, Martha and Bill moved to the Craig Ranch, in Limon, Colorado. They were side by side, working cattle, through good years and bad, devoted to the Lord, each other, and providing hospitality and love to family and friends for many years.

In 1990, upon retirement, Martha and Bill moved to Fredericksburg, Texas. A few years later, they found a beautiful property outside of town, where Martha could have her horses, dogs, assorted barn cats, and Barbados sheep. Martha continued riding horses until well into her eighties, sharing her love for all creatures great and small with her many visitors.

Even after Bill died in 2000, Martha was a very active participant in several Bible studies, prayer chains, the Episcopal church, and the Cowboy church. She was always available to volunteer for community and church events. Her love for God, her servant's heart, deep joy, and gratitude were gifts to everyone Martha encountered.

Martha Craig went home to her Savior on the 11th of September, 2023. Her legacy of faith, her steadfast love and guidance for her family will never be forgotten.

Martha is survived by her nieces and nephews: Paige Kemper Innerarity (husband, Edward), Caroline Kemper Cowden, James Vardaman Kemper (wife, Joanne), William Priest Kemper, and John Craig, as well as their children and grandchildren.

A memorial service is pending. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the charity of one's choice.