Myrtle Johnson Craft, 99, Covington, Virginia, died January 31, 2014, at Lewis Gale Hospital, Low Moor, VA.

Mrs. Craft was born in Hot Springs, Virginia, on December 22, 1914. She was the daughter of the late William Clark Johnson and Cacydell Cuva Jackson.

She was predeceased by five brothers and two sisters: Forrest Lee, Jessie Hill, Edgar Clark, Benjamin Walker, and Marvin Ewing, Mabel Florence Hart and Edna Grace Helmintoller.

Myrtle Johnson graduated from "old" Valley High School in Bath County in 1930 and earned her Bachelor or Science degree in Elementary Teaching and Supervision from The State Teacher's College (now James Madison University), Harrisonburg, VA, in 1934. Her first years of teaching were in Bath and Alleghany Counties.

On July 3, 1937, she married George Garland Craft who predeceased her in March of 1976.

After their children were in school, in 1945 she resumed teaching and taught first grade at Edgemont School until her retirement in 1977. By then she was enjoying teaching children of children she had taught a generation earlier.

Teaching was a fulfillment of her life's dream.

Mrs. Craft was a member of the Mallow Presbyterian Church where she served as an Elder, a Sunday School teacher, and was in the Presbyterian Women's Circle. She received a Life Membership in Presbyterian Women USA and served as a commissioner to General Assembly from Fincastle Presbyterian the year the two bodies voted to become the Presbyterian Church USA. She was a strong supporter of Weekday Religious Education from its beginning.

After retirement, Mrs. Craft enjoyed traveling and volunteering at the Art Center, Blood Mobile, and Christmas Mother. She was a member of Covington Women's Club and the Rainbow Ridge Chapter of the American Revolution, serving as chaplain.

Mrs. Craft is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Ruth and John Matuszeski of Santa Barbara, CA, and grandsons, Alex Matuszeski of Tucson, AZ; Stephen Matuszeski of Los Angeles, and Andrew and wife, Cheryl Matuszeski and their children, Joshua and Tatiana, of Encinitas, CA. She is also survived by a son, David Garland Craft, and his friend Loretta Horton, both of Covington.

Also surviving is her sister-in-law, Etha Craft Hayslett of Covington. She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews, a host of dear friends, and a caring neighbor, Sharon Hayslett.

A funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m.. Thursday, February 6, 2014, at Mallow Presbyterian Church with Rev. Gary Marshall officiating. Interment will follow in Jones Cemetery.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday evening from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. at Loving Funeral Home, Covington.

The family suggests that memorial donations may be made in Mrs. Craft's name to the Jones Cemetery Association, c/o Ruth Rodgers, 1421 Jackson River Turnpike, Hot Springs, VA, 24445. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Loving Funeral Home; www.lovingfuneralhome1913.com.