Nell Clardy Spivey Craft, 82, of Huntsville, Alabama passed away Friday, August 7,2026 with her family at her side. She came here in 1964 from her native Birmingham, Alabama. For many years, Nell faithfully served through Trinity United Methodist Church where she was a long-term member of the Hand Bell choir and the Alter Guild. Her church community was blessed by her compassion, generosity, and unwavering commitment. Whether she was serving her church, her family, or her community, Nell approached every opportunity with humility and love. She was a living disciple whose faith could be seen in everything she did.
Nell attended Auburn University and was a member of the Pi Beta Phi Sorority. It was at Auburn where she met her future husband and they were married on August 7, 1964. Nell treasured every role she held throughout her life. She was a devoted wife, mother, sister, grandmother, aunt, and friend. When her children were young, being their mother was among her greatest joys. As her family grew, she embraced being a grandmother (Grancie) and aunt (Aunt Clardy) with even more love and dedication. She was the heart and soul of her family, the one who kept everyone connected and made certain that each person felt remembered, included, and loved.
Nell knew what everyone was doing, how they were feeling, who needed encouragement, and who needed prayer. Through her calls, messages, and visits, Nell lovingly served as the author of her family. She never seemed to tire of reaching out or being there for the people she loved.
Her extraordinary devotion was also evident in the loving care she provided for her sister-in-law Mary. Nell consistently placed the needs of others before her own, giving freely of her time, strength, and heart.
Nell created a lifetime of treasured memories for those fortunate enough to love her. Her family will remember the Thanksgivings she hosted in Huntsville, always making certain there was a place at the table for everyone. They will remember summers spent together, shopping trips, lunches with her and Granddaddy during visits to Auburn, and the quiet joy of simply being in her presence. Among those precious memories is the day she accompanied her granddaughter Kaitlyn to purchase her wedding dress.
Her compassion extended beyond people. Nell was an animal lover and advocate who encouraged others to help animals that were homeless, abandoned, or in need. Her heart simply did not know how to look away from any person or animal needing care.
Nell leaves behind more than cherished memories. She leaves behind a beautiful example of how to serve faithfully, love intentionally, care deeply, and ensure that no one feels forgotten. Her family will miss her calls, messages, stories, kindness, guidance, and comforting presence. Most of all, they will miss simply knowing she was there. Yet they will carry her lessons forward by reaching out more often, loving others more intentionally, offering kindness freely, and striving to live a little more like Nell.
Nell is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, Harry G. Craft; her son, Jeff Craft (Tricia) of Chillicothe Ohio; her daughter, Karen Craft Barnes of Auburn Alabama; her sister, Marsha Spivey Yessick (Steve Sr.) of Chattanooga, TN; her brothers, Curtis Spivey (Sheryl) of Birmingham, AL, David Spivey (Denise) of Birmingham, AL, Paul Spivey of Birmingham, AL; her grandchildren, Kaitlyn Barnes Harris (Owen) of Birmingham, AL, Sydney Barnes of Auburn, AL, Braxton Barnes of Auburn AL, Tiffany Kern of Tallahassee, FL, Devvin Kern (Annastazia) of Chillicothe, OH; her great-grandson, Russell G. Kern of Chillicothe, OH; her nieces, Amanda Spivey Pittman (Clay) and their children, Thomas, Elle, Mary Capers; Laura Spivey Townsend (Zechariah) and their children, Chandler, Emmett Spivey, and Ollie; Halie Spivey Sell (Matt) and their children, Kayden and Caroline; Andrea Spivey Pair (Shane) and their children, Mary, Lucy, Judy, and Stowe; Embry Fox Gross (Pete) and their children, Solana and Romeo; and Dena Bell of Nashville; and her nephews, Tyler Spivey (Megan) and their children, Cali and Caisson; Tal Spivey; and Steven Glenn Spivey Jr. She is preceded in death by her father, Curtis Talmage Spivey Jr, and her mother, Nell Fox Williams Spivey.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Nell’s honor may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church 607 Airport Rd SW, Huntsville, AL 35802; Meals on Wheels of America, PO Box 791568, Baltimore, MD 21279-1568; The ARK 139 Bo Cole Rd, Huntsville, AL 35806 or consider donating to your local Humane Society or Food Bank in the honor of Nell.
A Celebration of Nell’s life will be held Thursday, August 27, 2026, at Trinity United Methodist Church in Huntsville with visitation starting at 11:00 AM followed by a service at 12:00 PM.
