Helen Sue Craft

Obituary of Helen Sue Craft

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Helen Sue Craft, born April 29, 1938, walked into the arms of Jesus on September 28, 2025, at the age of 87. Sue gave her life to Christ at the young age of 12 when she took herself to Center Terrace Baptist Church in Canton, Mississippi. Faith was her foundation, her strength, and her legacy. She graduated from Canton High School as part of the Class of 1956. She was voted most dignified senior, was the only woman elected to the debate team, and was a member of the Helios Staff, the FHA, the National Honor Society, JCL, the Science Club, 4-Teens, and Who's Who. As a junior, she wrote an editorial for the school paper. The article was titled Depend on Your Own Intelligence, Don't Cheat. She was asked by the superintendent to present it to the entire student body as well as receiving an invitation to a local radio station to present it on air. As a senior, she was awarded the Dan Forth Award in recognition of qualities of leadership. She began working at the age of 14 at the Pig Stand and learned quickly that she could earn enough money to buy her school clothes. She continued with jobs at the local theater, where she hated putting butter on the popcorn, and the Seal Lily, where she enjoyed a chocolate milkshake and peanut butter Nabs for lunch.

After graduation and with a head for numbers, she began her career at Bell South Accounting, earning the praises of coworkers. After excelling in her position, she was hired by Mutual of New York Life Insurance, interviewing on her lunch break and being offered the job of Head Book Keeper on the spot. Her career continued until she married, had her first child, and became a homemaker. Her meticulous care was unmatched, as were her themed birthday parties. Our yard was the haven for all the neighborhood kids and she was known for her prized climbing roses and her beautiful azaleas. She resumed her career in her 40s as a business owner in the salon industry, opening and running two successful salons: Mane Attraction and Shear Delight. As with everything she did, she provided excellent service, a welcoming atmosphere, and beautiful coiffed hair for the women of Jackson and the surrounding areas.

A lifelong member of Briarwood Presbyterian Church, she poured her heart and soul into a life of service. She started the Meals on Wheels program, was president of Women of the Church, led numerous bible studies, and taught Sunday school from kindergarten to sixth grade, was the Circle Leader of the Women's group, volunteered with the Christian Community Action Committee, and was the Vacation Bible School Director for several years. For her work in organizing the Meals of Wheels program, she was honored by Church Women United as one of the valiant women of the community. As the saying goes, every time the church opened its doors, she was there. (And we, of course, were there with her too). She was the first to fix food for families, serve at receptions and other functions, and ALWAYS the last one to leave. Briarwood Presbyterian Church was her home away from home. Her legacy in her faith lives on in her three children.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Lillie Pearl Tisdale, her brothers Billy Tisdale, James Tisdale, and Sam Tisdale, and her sister Barbara Jean Boutwell. She's survived by her children Steve (Laine), Suzanne (Drew), Stacey (Robin), and grandchildren Steven (Madison) Craft, Kaylee (Keegan) Colbert, Lawson Craft, Christopher Bailey, Elizabeth (James) Evans, Macy Agostinelli, Cade Agostinelli, and her great grandchildren Elle Craft and Warner Colbert.

The family would like to thank the loving caregivers at Covenant Caregivers and the nurses at Transitions Care for their compassionate hospice care.

A celebration of life service will be held at Briarwood Presbyterian Church at 620 Briarwood Drive, Jackson, Mississippi at 10:00am on Thursday October 2, 2025. Following a private burial,a reception will be held at 173 East Hill Drive, Madison, Mississippi.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be Briarwood Presbyterian Church, 620 Briarwood Dr Jackson, MS 39211.