Lonnie Everette Craddock

LONNIE  EVERETTE  CRADDOCK, 71, of Lavalette, W.Va., embarked on his last and greatest adventure on September 20, 2023 at Celebrations Villa in Teays Valley, W.Va.

Lonnie was the 5th child of 7 born to Ted and Ruth Craddock. He began his life’s adventure on April 27th, 1952 in Craigsville, W.Va.

He ran track at Buffalo High School and was President of the Art Club at Wayne High School where he graduated in 1970.

Lonnie met his wife, Sherrie, in 1972 at a high school dance. They began their great adventure a year later when they secretly eloped. Two children and three grandchildren are the products of their 50-year love affair.

After high school, Lonnie attended ACTC Vocational School where he studied electronics. He worked as a coal miner, a mechanic, and in construction before taking employment at Coppers, Inc. of Huntington, W.Va., where he retired in 2013.

Lonnie was a jack-of-all-trades who never met a roof he couldn’t repair or a coconut cream pie he couldn’t demolish. He followed the teachings of comedian Red Green, who believed that “if a woman doesn’t find you handsome, she should at least find him handy.” He used his expertise and committed his time and physical labor to help friends, family, and strangers, too.

His lifelong fascination with machines and motors lead to another adventure when he purchased a Harley Davidson in 2002. He spent hundreds of hours and thousands of miles on his Sportster, with his girl on the back. He rode his bike in every season and in all weather, including rain, sleet, and snow. He boasted that he had the dirtiest bike around, saying that the time spent polishing chrome was tragically wasted riding time.

A man of few words, who was always “finer than a frog hair” when asked how he was doing, Lonnie was full of sound advice, such as “A man who works hard all day ought to be allowed to have a popsicle or three as soon as he gets home from work,” “Always eat dessert first, just in case,” and “Don’t buy the cheapest thing, Buy the second cheapest. It’s probably still junk, but at least it gives you a little hope.”

Lonnie devoted himself to his Savior and his Faith. He was baptized when he was 9 and continued in Christ-like diligence in all aspects of life. He was a member of the Garrett’s Creek Church of Christ for over 50 years, where he served in whatever capacity was needed. One of his favorite hymns was, “When We All Get to Heaven.” He often cited the line, “When we all see Jesus, we’ll sing and shout the victory.” He always said he’d do the shouting because his singing might ruin a good time. His family and friends are sure that he is shouting, and the Lord is happy to hear him sing his way into the last and greatest adventure of all.

Lonnie is preceded in death by his father, Ted Craddock, his precious mother, Nancy Ruth Midkiff Craddock, his brother Teddy Craddock, and his sister April Lester.

Surviving in mourning are his wife of 50 years, Sherrie Copley Craddock; his son Lonnie Lee (Cara) Craddock; his daughter Hollie (Mike Wells) Craddock; three grandchildren, Titus Murdock, Vaida Murdock, and Josie Craddock; two step-grandsons, Jackson Smith and Carter Smith; two sisters, Nancy Blake and Violet (Harold) Marcum; and two brothers, Kenneth (Rose) Craddock and Arthur (Kizie) Craddock.

He is also survived by his father and mother-in-law Ruben and Violet Copley; two sisters-in-law Cindy (Jim) Day and Julia (Tommy) White; a brother-in-law, Larry (Teresa) Copley; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will begin at 11 am on Saturday, September 23, 2023, at Johnson Tiller Funeral Home.   The funeral will follow directly at 1 p.m. with Elder David Smith and Brother B.K. Marshall officiating. Lonnie will be buried at Mount Vernon Cemetery.

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