,On December 14th, 2023, Ruth Elizabeth (Carker) Craft passed away at the age of 80 peacefully at home, surrounded by her family.

Ruth was born February 5th, 1943, to William Carker and Anna Leifert Carker. Born on Galveston Island, she was a proud BOI. She spent her younger days enjoying time with friends and family and held a passion for learning the compelling history of her island. Beginning in her early life, Ruth helped care for her siblings and young relatives, and was beloved and respected by all. After graduating from Ball High School in 1961, she continued to work at the Five and Dime store in old downtown Galveston where she eventually met her husband, Troy Craft, of 59 years. Ruth and Troy had two children, Bruce and Pamela Craft.

Ruth loved Galveston and lived out her life on the island, working for GISD in early adulthood, and Murdochs for decades before she retired. Ruth brought so much joy to her family, and vice versa. She enjoyed dressing in period costumes to attend Dickens on the Strand with her eldest granddaughter and other family members. Ruth never missed a garage sale, bringing all her grandkids when she could. Ruth was truly beloved and respected by all who knew her, and she never met a stranger. She hosted Sunday dinners every week for years, welcoming any and all into her home, earning her the nickname "Mama Craft" in the neighborhood. She enjoyed crafting, cooking, baking, and was a gifted seamstress. She loved to make clothes for her kids and her grandchildren as well. Ruth was a beautiful soul, an "Angel on Earth", as her daughter called her. She was fierce, witty, and always had wisdom to share or a funny story. She had a way of making everyone she came across feel like family. Ruth was, as her granddaughters called her, a real life "Snow White." She held a genuine love for animals, as they did with her as well. Ruthie housed birds in her backyard after retirement, nursed injured stray animals, and befriended the neighborhood squirrels and birds. She was able to feed the squirrels by hand and trained the local blue jays to come when she whistled from her porch. She was a proud wife, mother, and grandmother; however, her favorite title was great-grandmother, or specifically "Gigi". In the last years of her life, her favorite time was spent with her two great-grandsons, Orlando and Ace. She loved her 'greats' with all her heart, never missing a birthday or milestone, and they loved her just as much. Ruthie left a lasting legacy in the hearts of her family and will live on through each of them.

Ruth is preceded in death by her mother and father, William and Anna Carker; Siblings, William "Bubba" Carker Jr., George Carker, James "JB" Carker, John Carker, Anna Burns, Charles Carker; and devoted husband of 59 years, Troy Craft. She is survived by her sister Betty Carker; son Bruce Craft; daughter Pamela Craft; grandchildren, Melissa Deskins and husband Daniel Deskins, Adree Lowth and husband Caleb Lowth, Susie Craft, and Jacob Lloreda; great grandsons Orlando Perales, and Ace Lowth, as well as many beloved sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation will be held on Monday, December 18th, 2023, at 11am at Carnes Brothers Funeral home in Galveston. Funeral services will be at 1pm on Monday at the funeral home, with the burial at Lakeview Cemetery to follow.

Pallbearers will be 'DD' Bertolino, Daniel Deskins, Caleb Lowth, Miguel Baigen, Carlos "Richie" Hernandez, and Domingo Lopez. Honorary bearers are Bruce Craft, Jacob Lloreda, and Carl Vincent Jr.