Kathleen Dorothy Hagan Cracraft

Kathleen Cracraft, 87, died on Sept. 13, 2012 at Crestpark Nursing Home in Helena, Ark. She died in the comfort of friends and family after an extended illness. She was preceded by her husband of 66 years, Judge George Knox Cracraft, a native of Helena-West Helena, and by her sister, Ann Hagan MacCready of Detroit. Kathleen leaves four daughters, Kathy Hendrickson of Germantown, Md., Jeannie Turley of Helena, Susan Maddox of Helena, and Judy Schieffler of Little Rock. She also leaves nine grandchildren, Susan Hendrickson Carmi, Tracy Hendrickson Hartsel, and Becky Hendrickson Beadling, all of the Washington, DC area, Gibson Turley III of Vancouver, British Columbia, Kathy Turley Bush of Wilmington, N.C., Jenny Maddox of Little Rock, David Schieffler of Fayetteville, Laura Schieffler of Little Rock, and Sarah Schieffler Higuchi of Denver, Colo.. She is also survived by seven great-grandchildren, Hailey and Taylor Carmi, Nathan and Andrew Hartsel, Samuel and Logan Bush, and Thomas Higuchi. She also leaves a brother, Frank Hagan, of Colorado; a niece, Cynthia Waidley; and three nephews, John, Tim and Howard Waidley of Michigan. Kathleen was a resident of Helena for many years, moving here in 1948 after husband George Cracraft finished his law degree at Harvard University. George's stint at Harvard law school followed World War II service as an Army Air Corp bomber pilot, flying 35 missions over Germany. After moving to Helena, Kathleen was active in community affairs and civic activities. Kathleen was a member of St. John's Episcopal Church in Helena. In 1980 the couple moved to Little Rock after Cracraft was elected to the Arkansas Court of Appeals. He served there until his retirement. Funeral arrangements were handled by with Roller-Citizens, and a memorial mass was held Sunday, Sept. 16, at St. John's Church at 1:30 p.m. Memorials may be sent to St. John's Church, 625 Pecan Street, Helena, Ark. 72342.