Obituary of Gwendolyn Georgia Gibbs Craig

Gwendolyn Georgia “Bennie” Gibbs Craig of Bedford went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus, on Tuesday, December 17, 2024 at the blessed age of 95 years young. Affectionately known as “Mama”, Grandma”, and  “Nana”, she lived a long and fruitful life leading a family of five generations to know Jesus. If you had the good fortune to encounter her, you knew quickly that she was the kindest, gentlest, most loving soul. In her younger years she enjoyed a competitive game of softball, singing, hearing her son Robert Earl and family members sing, camping, baking, cake making, sewing and always loved a good card game. She was as competitive as anyone and loved Scrabble, Rook and Canasta and was affectionately known as the “Canasta Queen”. She loved beach trips with the family.  But nothing brought her more joy than spending time with all her grandkids.  Her face lit up for each and every one of them every time she saw them.  She was an achiever, working later in life to obtain her GED while tending to family all-the-while. She was a long time dedicated member of Timber Ridge Baptist Church until she could no longer physically attend. 

She was greeted in Heaven by her mom and dad, Samuel and Margaret Gibbs; her husband, Robert H. Craig; three of her sons, Terri R. Craig, Richard H. Craig and Dennis E. Craig, her favorite son-in-law, Clyde L. Kernen, granddaughter, Gina M. Clark, great grandchildren, Ronin M. Andrews and Renley A. Andrews, Weston T. Smith, 3 sisters and 2 brothers, several dearly loved siblings.

She leaves here to carry on her legacy her beloved daughter, Gwendolyn Joyce Kernen, two sons, Robert E. Craig and Michael J. Craig and his wife, Virginia. And about those five generations and all those grandchildren she loved so much, her pride and joy were her grandchildren, Tracy Smith (Gerald), Casey Friess, Melissa Clark, Crystal Kernen (Michael Deaner), Joey Kernen (Danielle), Kerry Rittenour (Julian), Wendy Walker (James), Kristopher Wyatt Craig (Cheyenne), Robert M. Craig (Tina), Christopher Craig, Henry Craig (McKenzie), 33 great-grandchildren and 41 great great grandchildren who regularly spent time with her and whom she cherished beyond measure as well as a special friends, Velma Scott and Todd & Melissa. 

A celebration of Bennie’s beautiful life and home going service will be held at 2 PM on Sunday December 22, 2024 at Timber Ridge Baptist Church. Visitation will be held at Updike Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Bedford, VA from 5 until 7 PM on Saturday December 21, 2024. Flowers, cards, condolences may be sent to Updike Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Bedford.