Wayland Crafton

Wayland Crafton, 75, Paragould, died at home on Monday, July 13, 2009. He was born in Paragould, July 14, 1933, to the late Robert and Ester Lee Birkhahn Crafton. His grandson, Park Taylor Crafton and two brothers, Twain and Clifton Crafton also precede him in death. He was reared and received his early education at Lakeside and Greene County Tech. He served two years in the Army in Germany. On his return, he married Shelba Jean Tarry on July 31, 1955, in Paragould. He received his degree from Arkansas State University and then joined Wyeth Pharmaceuticals in 1961. He retired in 1997. He and his family moved to West Memphis and Little Rock. He had a love for sailing. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Paragould where he served as Usher Coordinator, Assistant Sunday School Director and Deacon. His survivors include his wife of 54 years, Shelba Jean Tarry Crafton; children: Ted and Janet Crafton Goodlin of Highlands Ranch, Colorado and Timothy Glenn and Sheila Crafton of Jonesboro; sisters: Carol Eaton of Fayetteville and Luetta Crafton of Paragould; brother: Wayne Crafton of Paragould; grandchildren: Tarry Crafton, Garrett Goodlin, Jordan Greenway, Kate Hensley, Brian Greenway; great grandchildren: Zoie and Zeke Hensley and Michael Greenway. The family will receive friends Tuesday, from 6:00-8:00 PM at Heath Funeral Home. His life will be celebrated at 1:30 PM Wednesday at First Baptist Church of Paragould with Dr. Bill Steeger officiating. Burial will follow at Greene County Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Building Fund of First Baptist Church, 120 North 3rd Street, Paragould, AR 72450. To register online, go to www.heathfuneralhome.com.