Mary Jane “Craft” Willingham, age 78, of Sheffield, Alabama passed away May 21, 2026, at her home. She was a faithful Christian, loving mother, devoted “Nanny”, a good friend to many, always looking for an opportunity to brighten someone’s day. She was a devoted and faithful member of the Tuscumbia Church of Christ and a former member of the Cherokee Church of Christ, where she was involved in various ministries including VBS, children’s ministry, cookie ministry, and coordinating teas and showers.
She was raised in Muscle Shoals by Onzie and Janie, alongside her sister Shirley, her best friend. She attended Deshler High School where she was a majorette and participated in social club activities. She married her high school sweetheart, Dewey, and together they built a loving home in Cherokee, raising their two children. She was very active in the community, involved with the Study Club, library, girl scouts, and a beloved “homeroom mom”. She worked in the Colbert County School System, serving at various schools and later retired from Colbert Heights High School as the computer lab facilitator.
Later she and her husband moved to Sheffield where they enjoyed their retirement years. She was a talented seamstress who lovingly sewed for her grandchildren. Her kitchen was always filled with warmth, good food, and laughter. Whether cooking for her family, her friends, or her church, she gave from the heart. Her words of encouragement, thoughtful cards, and quiet generosity touched countless lives. She loved spending time with her family in her home.
She was preceded in death by her husband Dewey; parents, Janie and Onzie Craft; sister Shirley Blumer; brother-in-law Ray Blumer; and sister-in-law Victoria Willingham.
She is survived by her son Mark Willingham (Janet); daughter Lisa Wilson (Russ); grandchildren Thomas Willingham (Chelsea), Olivia Hayes (Nickolai), Emily Wilson (engaged Nolan), and Jack Wilson (Annalaura).
Visitation will be Tuesday, 6:00 – 8:00 PM, at Morrison Funeral Home. The funeral will be Wednesday, 12:00 PM, at Morrison Funeral Home, with viewing at 11:00. Burial will follow at Guy Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Thomas Willingham, Jack Wilson, Nickolai Hayes, John Burton, Phillip Burton, and Greg Hildreth. Honorary pallbearers are Matthew Parker, Clint Blankenship, and Nolan Rebernick.
