Goldie Elizabeth Craig

Goldie Elizabeth Craig, 85, of 2913 Maine in Quincy, died Saturday (April 2, 2011) at the Golden Good Shepherd Home in Golden. She was surrounded by her family and her beloved Bichon Frise, "Buttons," was by her side.

Goldie was born on Aug. 31, 1925, in Huntsville, a daughter of Chester and Mamie Elizabeth Lambert McClain. She married George Leland Craig on Jan. 2, 1943, in Palmyra, Mo. He died on April 3, 1981.

She was a member of the Centennial Ebenezer United Methodist Church and the Ebenezer Cemetery Association.

"Ms. Goldie," as she was affectionately called, was among one of the first women entrepreneurs in Adams County. She graduated from Quincy Beauty Academy in 1957 and opened the Hilltop Beauty Salon on the Craig family farm northeast of Golden. Goldie was an accomplished businesswoman, operating a very successful salon business for 44 years and managing the farm after her husband's death for 30 years. She was a member of the Illinois Association of Cosmetology and the Quincy Hairdresser's Association until she retired in 2001 and moved to Quincy.

Goldie loved the Craig family farm, which was recognized as the third oldest Centennial Farm in Western Illinois in 1972 and was owned and operated by the Craig family for many years. It was her home for 58 years. She enjoyed her beautiful flower gardens, planting trees, and especially enjoyed watching the ducks and Canadian geese on the lake. After retiring and moving to Quincy, she continued her love of flower gardening and bird watching. She loved her family, and especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include two sons, William "Bill" Craig of Golden and George Richard "Dick" (Cindy) Craig of Quincy; one daughter, Donna (John) Leenerts of Quincy; a daughter-in-law, Marlene (Joe) Churchill of Quincy; two sisters, Carrie Whitford of Augusta and Irma Fengel of Mattoon; and one brother, Albert McClain of Quincy. She also is survived by six grandchildren, Brian Craig and Tana Parsano of Golden, Jodi Summy of Quincy, Brenda (Casey) Hill of Fowler, Carrie (Eric) Hoener of San Diego, Courtney and Caitlin Craig of Quincy; six great-grandchildren, Jordyn Summy of Quincy, Madison, Lauren and Landon Hill of Fowler, and Ava and Jackson Hoener of San Diego.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Chester and Mamie McClain; her husband, Leland; a daughter, Bonnie; two grandsons, Christopher Craig and Josh Leenerts; four sisters, Ada Peterson, Geneva DeMoss, Darlene McClain, and Mabel Shepherd; and two brothers, Walter and Chester "Bud" McClain.

SERVICES: 11 a.m. Wednesday in the old Centennial Ebenezer United Methodist Church near the Craig family farm with the Rev. Joe Tomich. conducting. Burial will be in Ebenezer Cemetery.

VISITATION: 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Augusta.

MEMORIALS: Golden Good Shepherd Home or Ebenezer Cemetery Association.

ARRANGEMENTS: Hamilton Funeral Home in Augusta.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.whig.com.