Mark Hartley Craig

On July 22, 2023, Mark Hartley Craig entered Heaven as a strong, healed and whole angel, which for us is our tremendous loss. He went on to be with our Lord, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was 77 years of age.

Mark was a loving husband, father, brother, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was the second of three generations of United States Marines.  Sgt. Mark Craig served in Guantánamo Bay during the Cuban missile crisis, saw action in the Dominican Republic with his Force Recon unit, then was selected to serve with the 8th & I Honor Guard at the White House. He was part of the Silent Drill Team, then became one of President Lyndon Johnson’s personal eight-man Marine Security Team traveling alongside the US Secret Service, closest to President Johnson.

Mark was someone that when you met him, you never forgot his larger-than-life attitude or his contagious laughter.  He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Kathy D. Craig, his son, Kevin Blaine Craig (Kelli), three bonus children, Tosha Hernandez, Shondelle Himel (Jason) and Shane Hernandez, three grandchildren, Brandt Watson (Colbi), Lakelynn Himel and Lawson Dukes and one great-grandchild, Anna Charles Watson. Also survived by his two siblings, a sister, Linda Craig Eissler (Robert), niece, Kim D. White (Todd), nephew, Mark W. Eissler (Cari) and nephew, Craig W. Eissler (Valerie), and a sister, Diane Craig Rodrigue, (G.A.), niece, Kelly Soignet (Donovan), niece, Shannon Acosta (John) and nephew, Casey Craig Rodrigue (Penny), and countless cousins, and great nieces and nephews. 

Mark was preceded in death by his father, John Charles Craig, Jr. and mother, Bettye Moye Hartley Craig, his Paternal Grandparents, John Charles Craig, Sr and Molly Selman Craig and Maternal Grandparents, Mark Hartley Craig and Entis Page Hartley.

A special thanks goes to neighbors, and friends for the countless meals, times of sacrifice, and pure love that they showed during this time.  Another special thanks goes to Mark’s cousins, Cheryl Farris (Roger) and Don Petitpain, for the timeless care, phone calls and love shown to Mark and I during this most difficult time, along with thanks to many loyal family members, Pastor and family, Jefferey Lee, church members and High School friends, especially Buddy Farmer and Jerry Molliere, who devoted times of visitation and prayers. Lastly, we want to thank the special doctors, nurses, and Hospice at St. Tammany Parish Hospital. We never would have made it through this journey without your love and attention.

Service arrangements for Mark will be Saturday, August 5, 2023, with Visitation at 10:00 am at Fords Creek Baptist Church, 2752 Fords Creek Road, Poplarville, MS, and Memorial Celebration following at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in
Mark’s name to your Cancer Research foundation of choice.