Anna Craig

Anna "Ann" Lucille (Gilliam) Craig Anna "Ann" Lucille (Gilliam) Craig was born at home near Okemah, Oklahoma on July 23, 1923. Her parents were Robert Gilliam and Nettie Pearl (Webster) Gilliam. Ann passed away on December 16, 2023 at Prestige Assisted Living in Chico, California. Five months earlier she had celebrated her 100th birthday with family and friends at her long time residence in Corning. The youngest of 8 children, the family farmed the rich soil along the North Canadian River. Ann attended school in Castle through 8th grade. Money was scarce during the Great Depression, so a treat was the occasional trip into town where her uncle would give her 25 cents to see a movie. She preferred westerns. When she was 13 her father passed away. After 8th grade, walking the six miles each way to a high school was not doable in Oklahoma winters, so she left school for full time work on the farm. She was given half-size sacks for picking cotton until she was older and could carry a full-size sack. A carry-over from those years on a farm was her expression if someone had misfortune, "They had a hard row to hoe". In 1942 Ann moved to Richmond, California to work in the shipyards during World War II. She was among the women who worked to supply the war effort. Some are remembered in history as "Rosie the Riveter" and "Wendy the Welder. " She was a welder on Liberty ships. The motto of those women was "We Can Do It", which fit her lifelong work ethic well. Ann returned to Oklahoma to weld for Douglas Aircraft until the war ended. Ann then came back to California and to Corning where she was working as a waitress when she met Pete Craig, one of the Craig Brothers who had built a Shell station after their military service. They were married in January, 1947. She and Pete began picking olives to supplement their income, and bought property that included an olive orchard. The property became home for over 70 years. Beginning in the 50's Ann drove a school car to transport children from remote areas to West Street School. In 1966 she and Pete founded the Olive Pit. Ann would be at the business almost every day until her eyesight forced her to give up driving at age 92. Among her favorite pastimes were country music and old western movies. She watched reruns of Gunsmoke regularly in her final years. Dolly Parton was at the top of Ann's list in country music. An avid sports fan, she especially enjoyed attending her children's games. Because of their support and involvement, Ann and Pete were honored by students and chosen as class mom and dad for both Bonnie's and Ron's senior classes. A good day was anytime the 49ers won, especially if the losing team was Dallas! Her final weekly pick for the Olive Pit football pool came in first place! Family and friends were always an important part of her life. She had regular phone visits with her remaining nieces and nephews in Oklahoma. She felt very close to the Craig family with roots going back to the Craig Brothers and their parents. Ann was predeceased by her husband of 58 years Pete Craig who passed away in 2005. She is survived by son Allan (Terry) in Redding, daughter Bonnie Jackson of Corning, son Ron (Leeann) of Chico, 8 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, 9 great great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and two surviving sisters-in-law. A life well-lived. Loved and admired, and always in our hearts. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Hall Brothers Corning Mortuary. A graveside service will be held on January 13, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. at Sunset Hill Cemetery in Corning. A reception will follow at the Senior Citizens Hall, 1015 4th Avenue in Corning. Family and friends are invited to both. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in her honor to the Corning Volunteer Fire Department, 814 5th Street, Corning, 96021.