Mrs. Rita Gayle Craig

Mrs. Rita Gayle Craig, age 69, of Winder, passed away at her residence on August 17, 2025.

Rita enjoyed a fulfilling career as the charge nurse at Barrow Regional Medical Center's Emergency Room, where she cared for countless patients with compassion and expertise. Her dedication to nursing was a reflection of her nurturing spirit, evident in her role as a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. Family was the cornerstone of Rita's life. 

A woman of deep faith, Rita lived her life with a strong commitment to her beliefs. She was an avid reader, having read the entire Bible several times, which highlighted her spiritual dedication and the guiding principles that shaped her character.

Rita was preceded in death by her father, Birl Hughes; her mother, Atha Bonnell Hughes; her brothers, Danny Hughes and Timmy Hughes.

Rita is survived by her husband, Joseph Ross Craig of Winder; daughter, Jamie (Scott) Harrison of Jefferson; stepdaughter, Sasha White (Jake Eaton) of Arnoldsville; stepson Sean Craig of Washington; siblings, Kay Fowler of Jefferson, Vickie (Bruce) Braselton of Winder, Mark (Louanne) Hughes, and Mary (Steve) Watkins; grandchildren Wesley Harrison of Toccoa, Dustan (Cearra) Sexton of Winder, Brentley Allbritten of Jefferson, Jackson Goode of Winder, Jayden Goode of Jefferson, Emily Harrison of Jefferson, Kristian Scherf of Arnoldsville, Jesse White of Arnoldsville, Khloe White of Arnoldsville, Emiko Craig of Washington,  and great-grandchild Rayah Sexton of Winder.

The funeral service will be held at 4:00 PM on Saturday, August 23, 2025 in the Chapel of Maddox-Carter Memorial Home. The family will be receiving friends on Saturday from 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM prior to the service at Maddox-Carter Memorial Home. 

The family respectfully request, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in her memory to the Northeast Georgia Health System Foundation at www.nghs.com

Maddox-Carter Memorial Home, Winder, is entrusted with the arrangements.