Violene Craft

Violene Craft
Oct. 19, 1926 – Aug. 11, 2023
Violene Craft, 96, of Magnolia, died Aug. 11, 2023 in Jackson. She was born Oct. 19, 1926, in Walthall County to Willie and Linnie Dillon.
She moved to Vallejo, Calif., where she became the first black bus driver in Vallejo Unified School Dist. They moved back to Magnolia in 1979 where she continued driving school buses for South Pike School Dist. until she was over 80 years old. She received an Appreciation and Recognition of those who make the Public Service their Lifework.
She was a member of the Church of Christ where she taught ladies’ Bible classes, Sunday School, and youth programs.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Willie Craft; her son, Larry Craft; two brothers: Robert and Quincy Dillon and one sister Orlean Ryans.
Survivors are three daughters: Dean Street of Vallejo, CA, Shelia Craft of Vacaville, CA and Betty Sue Craft of McDowell, GA; one son, Edward Earl Craft of Magnolia; 12 grandchildren; 26 great grandchildren; one great great grandson; two sisters, Mary (Leon) Owens of McComb, and Flora Parker of Sacramento, CA; daughter-in-love, Debbie Brown of Summit; two special nephews, Bobby (Beverly) Ryans and Billy Ruans.
Funeral services were Aug. 26, 2023, at Craft-Dillon-Ginn Memorial Chapel, interment in Dillon Cemetery in Lexie.
Craft-Dillon-Ginn Funeral Chapel was in charge of the arrangements. Share online condolences at www.craftfuneralhome.org