Craig Milner Karlson

Craig Milner Karlson passed away on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at Indywood Glen Assisted Living facility in Greenwood, MS. A memorial service will be held at St. James Episcopal Church in Greenville on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. Visitation at the church will begin at 9:30 a.m. A graveside service will be held at 3:00 p.m. at Odd Fellows Cemetery in Greenwood, MS. The funeral arrangements are under the direction of Boone Funeral Home in Greenville, MS.

Craig was born on April 30, 1949, to John Henry Milner and Anne Craig Milner of Greenwood. Craig graduated from the Greenwood Public Schools in 1967. Craig attended Ole Miss, where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority and graduated with an Elementary Education degree in 1971. After graduating Ole Miss, Craig taught elementary school in the Drew and Charleston, Mississippi, School Districts. She then purchased the Drew Gift and Flower shop, which she operated for a number of years. She later moved back to Greenwood where she taught school at W. C. Williams Elementary.

Craig met her husband, Cary Karlson, in 1978. They married on May 31, 1980, on a beautiful summer evening in her parents' yard. The most memorable aspect of the evening was the train horns sounding as their vows were exchanged. They made their home in Greenville, Mississippi, where Craig's love of teaching flourished. She taught at Carrie Stern Elementary and Mattie Akin Elementary for over 33 years. Craig was named Teacher of the Year by the Greenville Public Schools in 1995, and by the Delta Democrat Times in 1997.

In 1997, Craig was selected for induction into the Mississippi Hall of Master Teachers. Craig was the first teacher chosen from the Mississippi Delta to be a member of this organization.

Craig's love of teaching extended past the classroom to being a certified fitness instructor. She taught classes at the YMCA after school and during her summer breaks. Her favorite class to teach at the YMCA was water aerobics.

In June 2010, Craig retired from school teaching to start a new career with her husband, Cary, in retail sales with the opening of a multi-vendor store called Montage Marketplace. In 2011, Craig took over the leadership role of Montage when Cary was asked to lead the Washington County Economic Alliance. Craig and her staff made Montage the premier place to shop, where one would often find them dressed in an array of costumes, making their friends and customers shopping fun and welcoming. Craig and Cary decided to sell Montage and retire in 2016, to spend more time with family and their beloved dogs and cats, Tage, CeCe, Cypress and later Sunshine.

Craig is survived by her devoted husband, Cary. Craig was a loving aunt to Lisa Melton (Floyd) and McLean Trotter (Lisa) and their children (Floyd Melton IV, Patten Trotter, Anne Craig Melton, Mary McLean Trotter, and Stephen Trotter). Craig loved nothing more than being with her niece, nephew, and their children at the beach. Craig is also survived by sister, Anne Hamilton Trotter. Craig was predeceased by her parents, John and Anne Milner, and her brother, Johnny Milner.

In lieu of flowers, our family asks that memorials be made to the Community Foundation of Washington County or St. James Episcopal Church's Caregiver's group.