Mr. Morris L. Crafton, 93, of Winston-Salem, died on Thursday, February 14, 2019. He was born in West Palm Beach, FL, on February 1, 1926, to the late Morris L. Crafton, Sr. and Blanche Crafton Williams. His family moved to Charlotte, NC, where they made their home for many years. Morris was called to active duty in WWII and served in the U.S. Navy on amphibious ship LST780 that was positioned in the Pacific. He then returned to Charlotte and attended Wingate College and graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering. He was called again to active duty with the Navy to serve on the battleship USS Wright aircraft carrier during the Korean War. Morris and Clara Martin were married on August 28, 1949, in Charlotte. They moved to Washington, PA with their young family and remained there until 1971. They returned to NC, choosing Winston-Salem to call home for the rest of their lives. In 1971, Morris and Clara took on a new endeavor and formed a company named Thermcraft, Inc. Morris and Clara enjoyed 45 wonderful years of marriage before Clara passed away on March 17, 1995. Morris married Rose Sparks on August 29, 1997, and they had many joyful years together and made numerous wonderful memories. He drove himself to work five days a week until 2018. Morris became an active and involved member of St. John’s Lutheran Church. He was beloved by the congregation who visited often during his illness and even the choir would come to sing Christmas carols that delighted him. Morris will be remembered as funny, the life of the party and being generous while being anonymous. He loved to travel for work and fun. He and Clara and later Rose traveled to many glorious places. In addition to his parents, Morris was preceded in death by his first wife and mother of his children, Clara Martin Crafton, and his step-father, Fred Williams. He is survived by his wife, Rose Sparks Crafton; one son, Tom Crafton (Nancy) of Winston-Salem; one daughter, Debbie Mackie (Jay) of Raleigh; his grandchildren, Emily Moorefield (Stephen), Ellen Crafton, Sara Foltz (Hardin), Stephan Mackie (Lucy), and Kelli Chesson (Ben); great-grandchildren, Nimue, Ethan, Landon, Elliott, Sofia, Smith, Sydney, Cooper, Hannah, and Stella; and one sister, Frances Bradshaw of Charlotte. Morris is also survived by Rose’s children, Beverly Atwell of Winston-Salem; Bob Sparks of Winston-Salem, and Kevin Sparks of Little River, SC; Rose’s grandchildren, Nicole Atwell, Abby Umlauf (Daniel), Andrea MacKeen (Blake); and six great-grandchildren, Emma, Charlie, Happy, Moses, Banks, and Wyatt. Funeral services for Mr. Crafton will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, at St. John’s Lutheran Church with Pastor Thomas Clocker officiating. The family will receive friends following the service at the church. A private graveside service with full military honors will follow the visitation. Morris was deeply loved by his family and friends and will be missed by all who knew and loved him, he is at peace now. The family would like to thank Dr. Steven Klein, caretaker Sabrina Little, Piedmont Home Care, and Trellis Supportive Care for the tender care they offered to Morris. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church, 2415 Silas Creek Parkway, Winston-Salem, NC 27103 or Trellis Supportive Care, 101 Hospice Ln., Winston-Salem, NC 27103. Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel is assisting the family of Mr. Crafton.
Obituary from online source