Margaret Craighead

Margaret Groves Craighead was born on November 13, 1945 to Charlie and Ona Belle Groves.  She is survived by her sisters Rebecca Groves (Portland) and Barbara (Ray) Frye (Lafayette), and a brother, John Groves (Portland).  Margaret is survived by her husband Don and daughters Alecia, Kayren, and Mindy.  A foster son, Mike James (minister of the Cheboygan Church of Christ in Michigan) also survives.

Margaret graduated in 1963 as Salutatorian from Portland High School. Margaret attended the Tennessee Governor’s School, and then attended Tennessee Tech.  In 1965, she married Don Craighead and began working at TTU as the secretary for the Education Psychology Department while Don completed his degree.  Margaret played an instrumental role in the band program of which Don was the Director of Bands in Lebanon, Tennessee as she sewed uniforms for the field commanders, majorettes, color guard, and created the band banner.

When the family entered fulltime ministry at the Pennington Bend Church of Christ, Margaret served as the “Camp Mom” for a young preacher’s camp, endearing herself into their hearts as she prepared meals and helped campers with various “mom” tasks.  Margaret continued with this role, and that of Bible class teacher for young children at the various locations that fulltime ministry took the family. While in Illinois, Margaret was the first in their congregation to drive a church bus, bringing bus loads to Sunday school and teaching many of the riders in her Bible classes. Margaret also hosted widows for a meal, craft, and Bible study monthly throughout her years in Illinois and Ohio, as well as making a Bible class accessible for ladies who could not attend daytime classes.

The family returned to Tennessee where Margaret continued to teach children’s Bible classes and serve as guest teacher for ladies’ Bible classes.  Having begun a career of bus driving first at church then on to the school system in Illinois, Margaretcontinued to drive a school bus in Ohio then in Wilson County, Tennessee, later retiring from the Sumner County School system as a beloved bus driver. Margaret also continued using her seamstress skills sewing numerous uniforms and flags for the Portland High School flag corps, as well as flags for Special Olympics and clothing for her children. Her big delight was in making doll clothes for friends and family. Margaret demonstrated quiet generosity, giving much but doing so quietly to not draw attention as she modeled the Christian life, living a fruitful life bringing glory to God and joy to her family. She is now asleep in Jesus, resting from her labors as her works continue to bless others.