Sammy L. Craft

April 27, 1955 - July 11, 2017

SOUTH BEND - Master Chief Sammy L. Craft, former resident of South Bend, residing at 3221 Dunham Street, South Bend, Indiana passed away at his home in Inglewood, California on July 11, 2017. He was born April 27, 1955 in Memphis, TN. His family moved to South Bend in 1964. He was a graduate of Washington High School where he played football and ran track. He retired from the U.S. Navy after serving 27 years. He is survived by his wife (whom he married Jan. 7, 1991), Leghisele Craft of Oxnard, CA and son, Gerald Dockery of South Bend; two daughters, Ashley and Mirtat Craft of Oxnard, California; sisters, Tanya Franklin of Michigan City Indiana, Nona Kay Thomas and Patricia Thomas both of South Bend, Cynthia Thomas of Goshen, Indiana and Iris Jean Thomas of Arlington, Texas, Sherry Henderson Whiten and Mary Lou Henderson; brothers, Bernard Thomas, Clifford (CJ) Thomas, Lee Thomas Jr. and Tony Wilburn, all of South Bend, birth mother, Pearl Franklin of Michigan City, 6 grandchildren, one great-grandchild, 26 nieces and nephews, 45 great-nieces and nephews and 12 great-great-nieces and nephews, and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his adoptive parents, Ada and Albert Craft, birth father, Lee W. Thomas and his wife, Shirley Henderson Thomas; sisters, Annitta Perry Foote and Malinda Wilburn, and brother, Robert Hayes. Memorial services will be held at Berean Seventh Day Adventist Church, 601 West Colfax, South Bend, Indiana at 10:00 AM, August 1, 2017. Interment will be at 1:30 PM in the Battle Creek Michigan Veterans National Cemetery.

Sammy will be greatly missed by all who were fortunate enough to know him. We will always love you. Rest in peace. Your cousins, Shirley Tate, Robin J. and Michele Hill