LaNese Joanne Pierson Craft

1937 - 2013

LaNese Joanne Pierson Craft obituary, 1937-2013, Jones, OK

BORN

1937

DIED

2013

FUNERAL HOME

Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper Funeral Directors

6600 Broadway Extension

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

LaNese Craft Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Jan. 14, 2013.

LaNese Joann Pierson Craft joined her Heavenly Father and a host of celebrating witnesses in Heaven on January 13, 2013. She was born on August 15, 1937 in Pauls Valley Oklahoma to Russell and Bernice Pierson. She is preceded in death by her mother Bernice Pierson and survived by her father Russell Pierson of Oklahoma City who is 101 years of age. She is also survived by her husband Gerry Craft of the home, sons Cody Craft and Debbie Barbour of Jones Oklahoma and Dr. Cassady Craft and his wife Noor of Annapolis Maryland. LaNese has one granddaughter, Hannah Grillot of Norman Oklahoma and Hannah's mother Dr. Suzette Grillot also of Norman. LaNese was anxiously anticipating the arrival of a grandson, Calladon Cassady Craft, around the first of February. She is survived by one sister Patricia Pierson Sholar and her husband Bob of Pauls Valley Oklahoma, several nieces and nephews and other family members who loved her. LaNese married Gerry Craft on January 20, 1957 in Stillwater Oklahoma. She was the head majorette and led the Oklahoma State University marching band for four years. She also played on the OSU women's golf team. She started her golfing passion while in high school at Stillwater High School and then Northeast High School in Oklahoma City where she graduated. LaNese has been an active member of Choctaw Creek Women's Golf Association for many years. A proud and loyal Oklahoma State Cowboy and a member of the OSU Alumni Association and the Posse Club, she was a big supporter of all athletics and always enjoyed her season tickets to sporting events in Stillwater. LaNese was also a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. She has also been active at First Baptist Church in Jones Oklahoma. LaNese Craft taught elementary physical education for Harrah School District at Claire Reynolds Elementary until her retirement. Upon her retirement, the Harrah School District renamed the elementary gymnasium in her honor. In 2010 LaNese Craft was crowned Ms. Senior Oklahoma and competed in the Ms. Senior America Pageant twirling her baton in the talent portion of the contest and delighting the audience with her high throws and twists and turns. She continued her involvement in the Ms. Senior Oklahoma Pageant as Co-Director since her crowning. LaNese loved the Lord and her life was a witness of His love and compassion. The funeral will be held Wednesday, January 16th at 2:00 PM at the Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper Chapel, 6600 Broadway Extension, Oklahoma City.

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January 25, 2013

Quest Daniel

Mere words will never be able to describe LaNese! I have known LaNese for the past twenty years and can honestly say I have never met a finer Christian Lady in my entire life. She was, to me, the greatest example of a Christian "spiritual warrior" that I have personally ever met. She never met a stranger in my presence who was not a friend within minutes.

When I think of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ, and His modeling a perfect life for us to attempt to exemplify, I cannot think of another person who lived out that model here on this earth better than my dear friend, LaNese. I just thank God for the opportunity to be with her during the last few days of her life on this each, and will never remember her as anything but the epitome of living with a great passion for life in everything she did, and in the way she loved her dear, sweet family and friends, everyday, even in sickness. Wow! What a great legacy she has left for the rest of us to strive for, in life and in passing.

I thank God for having allowed me the privilege to know her well for the past twenty years of my life. We will miss you, LaNese, but will never be without the spirit of your presence in our lives. Thanks! Quest and Peggy Daniel, San Antonio, TX

January 24, 2013

Judy Lamppu

We both competed in the Ms Senior America pageant in 2010 and I thought she was so lovely. She's gone too soon.

Posted by Judy Lamppu

January 17, 2013

Jean Lapham

I will miss Ms. Craft. She will remain in my heart always. I have been blessed to have spent time with her as a patient and as a friend.

January 16, 2013

Evelyn Dull

I taught with LaNese at Clara Reynolds Elementary. She was always so positive and upbeat! One of my treasured memories of LaNese is when she and John Neal, the music teacher, put together the Clara Reynolds Olympics. They had opening excercises which included a parade of countries, balloons, and a torch lighting ceremony. LaNese even planned a hockey game between the second grade teachers and the third grade teachers. She even jumped in to play and never let me forget that I knocked her down! I will miss her sweet smile, her laughter, and her "Elvira" excercise routine.

January 16, 2013

LaNese was a loving and caring person who will be greatly missed.It was an honor to get to teach with her at Clara Reynolds Elementary. The children looked forward to going to PE classes because she it made it fun and challenging for them. I remember once the children had been inside for at least a week or more and when it finally warmed up some, she told each PE class to bundle up before coming to class and she took them outside and they walked the neighborhood by playing Follow The Leader. The children loved it. I even joined my class and walked with them. LaNese was a joy to be around. She will be deeply missed by those who truly knew her and loved her. Bernadette Klimkowski, Harrah, Oklahoma

January 16, 2013

LaNese was such a a wonderful Christian lady and friend. She attended our sorority's reunion a few years ago and gave her very inspiring testimony. We were all very touched by her strong faith and concern for her husband, Gerry. My heart goes out to all of the family at this very sad time. May God see you through these days of mourning as she will be missed so much. It eases our hearts when we realize that she is with her Lord and Savior and knowing that we will see her again one day. Sincerely, Althea Wright, Stillwater

January 16, 2013

Nancy Noble Sanders

It was a delight to see LaNese a few years ago in Stillwater at a Kappa Kappa Gamma reunion, over 50 years since I had last seen her. I'm so glad now that I have this memory. May your memories, too, be joyful and comforting as you celebrate her life and now her presence in Heaven.

January 16, 2013

Georgine Jackson

I knew Lanese at college and saw her at a reunion a few years ago.
Her life has had many highs and lows and I admire her bright smile and ability to cope.

January 16, 2013

Shirley D. Forgan

I did not know LaNese well, but we were sorority sisters;therefore, bonded together in sisterhood.May many fond memories bring some comfort and peace to Gerry and the family. My deepest sympathy.Shirley Dobbins Forgan

January 16, 2013

Tammy Davenport

What an amazing lady! She shared some of her outside plants with me and told me I couldnt get mad when they took over my yard. Well the jasmine did but I still love them! Everytime I see the little yellow flowers bloom in the spring I'll think of the lovely lady who made PE a happy place for my children!

January 15, 2013

Whitney Tarver

LaNese came into my life 3 years ago. From day one she treated and my family as her own. She has been there from making plans for my wedding to recently talking about plans for my baby shower. It still has not completely sunk in that she will physically not be there anymore but I know in spirit she will always be. LaNese was such a loving person no matter who you ask. She will bethree deeply missed and never forgotten.

January 15, 2013

Carolyn Buser

I was so sad to read of LaNese's death. It was a joy to be a classmate and friend to LaNese at "dear old SHS" where she cared about and was interested in all around her. Remember the good times and they will sustain you now and for years to come. You are in my prayers.

Love,
Carolyn Lambert Buser
Class of '55

January 15, 2013

larry miller

We were deeply saddened in learning of LaNese's passing. She was such a friendly and outgoing person. Our thoughts and prayers are sent to all of her family. Charlene and Larry Miller

January 15, 2013

John Taylor

Aunt LaNese,

You will be missed and I will always remember you. God Bless

January 15, 2013

Kay Brown

Ken and I extend our sympathy to all of LaNese's family. We love you.

January 15, 2013

Inez Phillips

One of my fondest memories of LaNese is of her and John Neal leading all the children in singing and dancing to "Elvira." She had all of us teachers on our feet and we joined in the fun.
LaNese was a wonderful teacher and friend who inspired us to be better people. She will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to know her.

January 15, 2013

Virginia Howard

Our hearts are so saddened by the passing of LaNese. She was a wonderful person and her faith, her love for God and her family and friends will always be remembered. LaNese and I were Kappas together at OSU. She was fun, kind and sweet to everyone and thought of others first even then.
I heard LaNese speak to a group several years ago of her faith. She not only spoke about her love and belief in Christ, she also lived her faith out in her life. Her faith, love, and her smile will never be forgotten. LaNese left this world a better place because she was in it. Our prayers and sympathy are with Gerry and her sons.
Virginia Howard

January 15, 2013

LaNese was my "Sister"...not only in Kappa Kappa Gamma, but in "Christ"! We mourn our loss but praise her glorification!
Our prayers are with her family.

Celia Bunyard

January 15, 2013

Don & Darlene Cole

Our thoughts & prayers to you.
I remember when LaNese came to Eugene Field's Grade School in Stillwater. At recess we ran sprint races. She not only beat the other girls, she beat all the boys.

January 15, 2013

Waymolene Abel

I met LaNese, in Norman, at Christian Women's Connection, where she approached me to enter the Ms. Senior Oklahoma pagent. We became friends and spoke on the phone often. I had no idea that she was from PV and Mr. Piersons daughter. I also know the Sholars. I am so very sorry for your loss. She was a very nice person. Waymolene Abel

January 15, 2013

Sandra Janowiak

LaNese was a super friend and teacher. I taught with her many years at Clara Reynolds Elementary. She always had a smile on her face and made you smile and laugh also! She will be greatly missed! Sandra Janowiak, Harrah, Okla.

January 15, 2013

Eileen Boggs

Coach Craft was both of my children's PE teacher at Clara Reynolds. She was one of those teachers who people look back on their school days and remember them as one of their best teachers. She was a dear friend to me and my children and I loved her dearly. Heaven has a beautiful angel with them now.

January 15, 2013

Allan & Shirley Moody

LAnese is a wonderful person, She was loved by everyone who met her. She will be greatly missed.


.

January 15, 2013

Molly Lemmons

I have known LaNese since we graduated together from NE highschool in 1955. She is one of very few people I have ever known who stayed true to her beliefs and value systems her entire life. She is a credit to her Godly parents who instilled such a love of the Lord in her that she carried those teachings through her entire life, never wavering. She is genuine and sincere, not a phony bone in her entire Christ-adoring body.She was never ashamed or embarrassed to allow people to know that she was a follower of Jesus Christ. I love her so much and she is an inspiration to all of us who knew her. She gave me courage to stand for truth and she taught me to be thankful and to love in all situations, no matter what. What a tremendous blessing she is. I don't like to think of her as gone; simply that she is living in another city, greeting friends and loved ones, and that she will receive us there someday, too. Goodbye, dear friend. Your legacy will follow you and will continue to influence others for good as long as the Earth stands. I love you, LaNese. Molly Lemmons

January 14, 2013

LaNese is a blessing to all that meet her. We have many stories of her kindness and love towards the children and the people she worked with at Clara Reynolds. I am so honored to have had her as my friend! She was a wonderful teacher. I will miss her sweet smile.
Rhonda Miskelly (Harrah, OK)

January 14, 2013

LaNese was such a vibrant person .We are going to miss her so much.

Morris and Kathleen Morrison

January 14, 2013

Zoan Cochran

Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.

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Funeral services provided by:

Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper Funeral Directors

6600 Broadway Extension, Oklahoma City, OK 73116-1298

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