Craig Heard

Craig Heard was born October 9, 1964, to Annie Mae Heard and William Cooper at Wake Memorial Hospital, Raleigh, North Carolina in Wake County. Craig’s sudden departure on April 9, 2024, has left a void in all the lives who loved him.

Craig was reared in Garner and Raleigh, North Carolina and attended the Wake County Public Schools.  In his youth Craig loved sports and he played football and baseball with his brothers in the IGO League. He played baseball with William "Keith" as a pitcher and football with Jonathan "Charlie" as a lineman.  They were called “Little Blues”. Whatever he did or wherever you saw him,you saw his smile first, always.

Craig surrendered his life to Christ at an early age and associated himself with Good Samaritan Baptist Church in Garner, NC., where he participated in the youth choir, Vacation Bible school and other activities his Aunt Faye would take him to.

Craig met and married Reverend Bessie Parrish. She encouraged and nurtured him on his Christian journey.  Under her guidance he became a willing servant in the church and served as an usher and deacon and later actually delivered his initial sermon in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Craig migrated to Massachusetts after the loss of his beloved wife Bessie. While in Boston he worked in retail for a while and enjoyed life. He met a young lady named Nadra and they committed to one another. There was nothing she wouldn’t do for him, and he put a ring on her finger.

No longer with us is Craig’s wide smile, the jokester, the loving spirit, the prayers of a believer and strong warrior.  The prayers he prayed for us, and with us stands as a testimony of his undying faith that God does provide and will never leave us nor forsake us.  What remains are the memories of great days of shared love and heavy hearts of struggles endured. Remember Craig never forgot God and God didn’t forget him.  He always had joy in his heart and had no problem sharing. That magnetic aura around him transcended into your spirit, and that drew him closer to. He traveled the road that was laid out for him even through trials and tribulations God carried him in every situation.  And the unexpected death we face, God knew that he tried numerous times and was tired.  He is now taking his rest until that great getting up morning when God meet him with outstretched arms for one of his soldiers that at times lost his way.  Regardless Craig persevered in his faith and commitment. His legacy is ours to keep and cherish forever.

To cherish his memories are: two daughters; Tiffany Yarborough (Corey), Takiyah Jeffreys; four grandchildren; Tamiyah, Ja’Vian, Jarod and Darryl, mother; Annie Heard Hopkins, father; William Cooper & mama Vickie Cooper. His fiancé Nadra Chase; six brothers; Jonathan “Charlie”, William “Keith”, Christopher “Wayne” and Kenneth (Ken), Michael (Deneese) and Todd (Haniyyah) two sisters; Trista Marshette “Trish”, and Sheila, Several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends,  and Jackie Jeffreys, Takiyah's mom.

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