Annie Mae Craft was born on September 26,1940.  She graduated from high school but due to a serious illness was not able to go on to college to become a teacher.  She later married the love of her life, the late George Austin Craft.  They had four children Robert, Anthony Sr., Gregory, and Cynthia. Later daughters-in-law Regina and Dawn, and a dedicated son in law, Donnie, who she referred to as Donnie O were added to the family. Her children were fruitful and multiplied, giving Annie Mae ten grandchildren: Sean, Christopher, Chereese, Anthony Jr., Janae, Amber, Darius, Jonathan, Deonte, and Jason. Before the Lord called her home, Annie Mae was able to meet and enjoy three great grandchildren: Shyasia, Ariana, and Jayce. She also took care of her beloved Poochie for 16 years and loved her one Grand-dog Saber.

 

While her children were still young, Annie Mae’s husband George suffered severe brain damage due to complications from back surgery. As a result, she had to enter the workforce and essentially be a single parent of four children.  She worked in the banking industry for 22 years.   Starting as a mail clerk she worked her way up to bank teller.  Annie Mae was even robbed of her money as a teller, but glory be to God, she was not harmed during the robbery.

 

Annie Mae’s hard scabble life developed a spirit of toughness and tenacity helped her overcome things that stood in the way of reaching her goals.  She lived by the scripture: Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

When her son Robert had his bike stolen by a very large and older teen who was in a gang, she was determined to get his bike back.  Annie Mae sent word to the boy to bring the bike back and when he did, she snatched the boy off the bike and said this is my son’s bike. She only stood 5 feet 2 inches, but her faith in God and pursuit for justice made her stand as tall as Goliath.

 

Annie Mae’s passion for education was instilled in her children.  Despite having just working-class income and a disabled husband who couldn’t work, she made sure all four of her children earned college degrees and/or certificates of completion by making many sacrifices. 

 

She was always dedicated to caring for her grandchildren and teaching them the word of God. In addition, she pressed upon them the importance of getting a college education, which she always wanted.  As a results, five of her ten grandchildren earned college degrees.

Annie Mae’s life experiences helped her develop many philosophies that she didn’t hesitate to share with her family.  Chief among them was “take what you got and make what you want".  Two of her top five sayings were "you are just as wrong as two left shoes” and “I’m fair to medium for an old woman.”

 

Annie Mae loved her family, but she loved God the most. Her faith in God steadied her during the many dark times in her life.  She served in her local church as an usher, choir member, CED administrator, and member of the mother's board. She was also a missionary.

 

Annie Mae was a mighty woman of God, a bible scholar and lived by the parable taught by Jesus in Matthew 25:31-40 which teaches we should give to those in need.  Annie Mae had very little, but what she had she gave freely, even if it meant she went without.  Her legacy of giving will live on after her being called home to be with the Lord.  In 2018, her children formed the Annie Mae Craft Foundation in her honor.  The Foundation will combat poverty in the Greater Hartford, CT community by providing education scholarships, and grants to assist with housing, food insecurity, medical care, home heating costs to its low-income citizens.

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