Rosetta Smith Craig

Ms. Rosetta Eva Smith Craig, 86, of Linden, was lifted by God’s Angels on High to Glory on October 25, 2025!  

She was born on July 24th, 1939 in Brentwood, Tn. to Nathaniel and Martha Lou Ellis Smith. Rosetta was born into the Christian faith and spent her youth as a member of Key’s Chapel United Methodist Church in Lexington, Tn., where she was raised as the eldest of 11 children born to Nathaniel and Martha Lou Smith! She spent much of her childhood helping her Mom take care of her younger siblings all the while learning how to cook, clean and gain so many of the skills that made her an excellent Mother, Wife and Homemaker.

Rosetta grew up in the small town of Lexington, Tn. and graduated from Montgomery High School in May of 1958 and in July of 1958, she married McDonald Craig. To this union, 2 sons were born, Reginald and Ervin Craig approximately 2 years apart. Rosetta was also the proud grandmother of Patrick and Brian Craig. By getting married at 18 years of age, Rosetta was definitely a child bride. One thing regarding her middle name, Eva, this was given to her by the Doctor who delivered her, so it’s kind of a special name. Rosetta had to make a major culture change in her life when she married McDonald Craig. Rosetta had grown up in Lexington, Tn. and was reared in small town life where the people were black like her. When she married McDonald and moved to Perry County, all of a sudden she was living in a rural setting and all of the neighbors were white, however that didn’t bother Rosetta one bit, because she loved all people with her kindness and great personality.

Her culinary skills were excellent with her always having meals on time and very delicious. She kept an excellently cleaned house and made all welcome!

It should be noted that Rosetta was a big fan of Westerns, especially Gunsmoke and she loved seeing Doc go back and forth with Festus and Chester. She was extremely close with her Mother-in-Law, Conna Craig and the two loved to watch Soap Operas together and discuss the plots. It was always as if they were speaking of real folks. She was very conservative in her political learnings and formed her own opinions about everything!

Rosetta was a big supporter and promoter of McDonald Craig as a County Music singer and would quickly tell anyone who would listen that he was actually a better singer than Charley Pride. She always enjoyed all the Country Music Shows on TV in the day, especially The Bobby Lord Show, Ralph Emery, as well as The Porter Wagoner Show.

McDonald Craig performed at many Country Music Festivals over the years in Illinois and Iowa, among other places and Rosetta made many of these trips, selling tapes and promoting McDonald Craig as a singer and performer. Rosetta loved all children, not just her own and would make any child welcome in her home. She also welcomed fans of McDonald Craig into her home and many of them traveled from Illinois, Florida and even from England to spend as long as a week in the country home of the Craig’s.

Rosetta was predeceased by a younger brother Russell, younger sisters Essie May (Cook), Kathaleen, Loistine and Josephine, her parents Nathaniel and Martha Lou Smith and an older half-brother Patrick.

Last but not least, she was predeceased by her husband of 63 years, McDonald Craig, who passed away on September 26th, 2021.

In addition to her sons and grandsons she is also survived by her siblings Vivian Smith Hart, Gail Smith (Charles) Hopewell, Alice Smith (Terry) Butler, Ralph Smith and Raymond (Kathy) Smith.

Please know that she loved Everyone and never held grudges about anything. It’s no doubt where she is because she was pure of heart, faithful and loyal!   

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