Amelia Maria Craig

Amelia M. Craig, “Nana” to her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, passed away on Sunday, May 14, 2023, early Mother’s Day morning, at the age of 92.  

The youngest of six children, Maria Benita Amelia Esquer was born on March 21, 1931 in Magdalena, Sonora, Mexico to Salvador Esquer and Cristina Reyes Esquer. She married Clarence H. Craig in Arizona in 1954, and together they had two sons. Clarence passed away on March 10, 1972.  A resilient woman with two sons to raise, Amelia provided for herself and purchased a home by providing housekeeping and sewing services for the community of Lordsburg.  She was a devout Catholic, and a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church for over 50 years. In July 2000, Amelia proudly achieved a long-time goal when she became a U.S. citizen.  

Amelia was a sports fan, always rooting for the Dodgers, the Spurs, and to her sons’ dismay, the Dallas Cowboys. She loved taking care of her pets and, through tender love and care, sprouted a beautiful garden in the desert. Every fall, she would generously share the bounty of her pomegranate tree. 

Nana was well known for her delicious food.  She made tortillas by hand daily for years, and annually the whole family would be treated to her tamales, sometimes putting her granddaughters to work grinding the corn for the masa. She gave so much of her time to her grandchildren, teaching and passing on traditions and skills in sewing, needle point, and cooking. Nana’s house was home.  

She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, two sisters, and her husband Clarence. She is survived by her two sons George D. Craig (Lisa), David A. Craig (Maria). Six grandchildren, Angela C. Mack (Adam), Candace R. Craig, Abel J. Craig (Amber), Davy Craig (Kayla), Natasha L. Craig (Joshua), Jonathan D. Craig, and 10 great-grandchildren.

A rosary was recited Saturday morning, May 20, 2023 at 10 o’clock at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church led by Carlos Bejarano. Mass of Christian Burial followed at 10:30 with Fr. Jude Okonkwo officiating.  Concluding services and interment were at Shakespeare Cemetery.  Serving as Amelia's pallbearers were Abel Craig, Adam Mack, Davy Craig, Jonathon Craig, Joshua Rodriguez and Marcus Mack.  Honorary pallbearers were Nicholas Rodriguez, D.J. Mack and Aaron Hardie.

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