of Little Rock, AR

February 5, 1940 - January 21, 2025

Sammie Joan McCraw, age 84, departed this life January 21, 2025. She was born February 5, 1940 in Enola, AR to the late Coy Cardin Sr. and Bonnie McDonald Cardin. She was preceded in death by a brother, Coy Cardin Jr.; two sisters, Bernice Springer and Sybil Fleshman and her husband of 57 years, James W. McCraw. She is survived by her two sons, James R. McCraw (Donna) of Pearland TX and Philip McCraw (Michele) of Little Rock, AR; one grandson, Nick McCraw (Amy) of Bishop TX; one granddaughter, Farrah Milota (David) of White Sands Missile Range, NM and five great-grandchildren, Ryan, Logan and Madison McCraw and Travis and Tyler Milota. She was a member of Hebron Baptist Church.

Sammie had a special place in her heart for elderly people. She spent a great deal of her free time helping shut-ins so they could stay in their homes and not have to go to the nursing home. She cleaned their house, went to the grocery store, drug store, bank and any other chores they needed done. She helped James mow their yards and do repairs around their homes. She always made sure they got a gift for their birthday and Christmas, Father's Day and Mother's Day. At special holidays, like Thanksgiving and Christmas, she fixed up a plate and took them.

One of her sons mentioned to her that he remembered we always went to Homer Banks house and took him a plate every Christmas. Mr. Banks was a black man that was old and lived by himself. She was pleased that he remembered this. If she went out to lunch, she always picked up a slice of pie and took to them and visited a while. If she went to Branson, she usually had to call and make sure they were OK. She made time for whatever they needed even if she had something already planned. They went to the top of the list. Really, they were just like family to her. James always raised a garden and these elderly people really enjoyed when we cooked and took them a plate of fresh vegetables.

Sammie was a very private person who didn't like people fussing over her and she didn't like fancy things. She just wanted everything very simple. She loved gospel music concerts and 5th Sunday singings and going to museums. She always looked at the Saturday paper that listed the churches having a gospel singing and she attended many singings at these churches. Any time they were making a trip she looked up the museums along the way and would spend hours going through a museum.

A visitation will begin at 12:00 with funeral services beginning at 1:00pm Saturday, January 25, 2025 at Hebron Baptist Church with Brother Ed Hinkson officiating. Entombment will follow at 3:00pm at Rest Hills Memorial Park in North Little Rock.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hebron Baptist Church, 8715 Kanis Road, Little Rock, AR 72223.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Chenal Funeral Home
13801 Chenal Parkway
Little Rock, AR  72211
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com