CRAIG, Dr. Mack Wayne Age 85, passed away on March 1, 2011. He was born May 13, 1925 in Obion County, TN and was raised in Jacksonville, FL. A well-known preacher, educator, story teller and historian, he came to Nashville in 1943 to attend David Lipscomb College. He received his Associates Degree from Lipscomb in 1944, his Bachelor's degree from Vanderbilt in 1946, his Master's degree from Peabody in 1948, and his Ph.D. from Peabody in 1958. Dr. Craig joined the Lipscomb faculty as a teacher at David Lipscomb High School and served as principal from 1949-1957. He served as academic dean of the college from 1957-1978 and was known to thousands as "Dean Craig" or "Doc." Generations of students remember the Tuesday night devotionals he lead on the steps of Alumni Auditorium. He served as Vice President for Institutional Planning from 1978-1983 and Director of the National Development Board until his retirement from Lipscomb in 1985. Dr. Craig started preaching as a high school student in Florida at the St. Augustine Church of Christ. He served as minister of Nashville-area Churches of Christ for more than 60 years, including the Reid Avenue, Whites Creek, Charlotte Avenue, Vultee, Hillsboro, and the Allensville (KY) congregations. In his last years, he was an active member of the Crieve Hall Church of Christ. He held Gospel meetings widely and is remembered for leading singing at the 1962 Collins-Craig meeting (attended by over 90,000 people), which was the first event held in the Municipal Auditorium. Many remember his powerful sermon, 'There They Crucified Him," which he preached every Easter. After retirement from Lipscomb, Dr. Craig became a chaplain for the National Health Care Corporation, and enjoyed 25 years serving the residents and staff of area nursing homes. He was also a much loved trainer and speaker throughout the national organization. Dr. Craig had a love for history, including old houses and antiques. He restored the Pinewood Mansion in Hickman County in 1968, and the Pepper Place in Allensville, KY in 1983. Each house was open for tours, available for catered events, and operated as an antique shop. A noted story teller, Dr. Craig shared his love for Nashville and Civil War history with many groups, and was active in numerous organizations dedicated to Nashville and Tennessee history. He also loved historic travel, and over a span of 50 years led tour groups in the United States, Europe, the Far East, and the Bible Lands. Dr. Craig was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Anne Discher (Dottie) Craig in 1959 and his grandson, James Discher Craig in 1999. He is survived by sons, Larry (Mary Lou) Craig and David (Sally) Craig, and daughter, Marnie Craig (David) Ferree. There are 5 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a brother, Richard (Jan) Craig and sister-in-law, Mary Margaret (Phillip) Morrison, and numerous nieces and nephews. The family offers special thanks to Tim Shelly, Patricia Berry, and all the staff at Richland Place for their extraordinary kindness in Dr. Craig's later years. A funeral service will be conducted Friday, March 4, 2011 at 2 p.m., in the Collins Alumni Auditorium at David Lipscomb University (Limited parking is available on University Drive in front of the Burton Health Sciences Building on Belmont Blvd. Satellite parking with shuttle service is available at the old Stokes School at 3701 Belmont Boulevard.) Burial at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens will follow the service. Visitation will be from 2-8 p.m. on Thursday, March 3, 2011 at Crieve Hall Church of Christ and from 12:30-2 p.m. Friday at Alumni Auditorium. Active Pallbearers are Richard Jones, Bard Young, J.C. Craig, John Dawson, Steve Flatt and Aubrey Johnson. Honorary Pallbearers are Burton Grant, Jennings Davis, Bob Mason, Pat Boone, Carl McKelvey, Dennis Loyd, Rubel Shelly, Andy Adams, Ben Adams, Harold Bone, Joe Gill, Dan Andrews, and Keith Hagan. Dr. Craig requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Ukranian Education Center in care of Greg Hardeman, 4301 Hillsboro Rd., Ste. 300, Nashville, TN 37215. Known for his wit, generosity, his ties and his servant spirit, Dr. Craig was widely loved and will be fondly remembered.
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Published in The Tennessean from March 3 to March 4, 2011
