Mrs. Elaine Craddieth Humphries was born the 12th child; 5th daughter out of a total of 16 children in Steens, MS to James & Bernice Dickerson Craddieth on Valentine's Day, 1958. At an early age, she was baptized and therefore accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and personal Savior and joined Hebron C.M.E Church in Steens, MS. Elaine was educated in the Lowndes County Public School System and earned her high school diploma from New Hope High School in 1976. Elaine went on to further her education and earned her B.S. Degree in Elementary Education from Mississippi University for Women (2003), and also earned her M.S. Degree in Teaching from Arkansas State University (2009). Elaine also got certified as a National Board Teacher (NBT) to teach in low-income, Title I schools, and communities.

Early on at Hebron C.M.E, Elaine was a member of the Sunbeam Choir and Usher Board. She was Director of the Youth Department, was Youth Sunday School Teacher, and served as Secretary for the Board of Stewards. Elaine served faithfully at Hebron until September of 2022, when her health began to fail.

Elaine worked tirelessly to support her and her family-to include Sonic Drive-In, Caledonia Garment Plant, Lowndes County Vo-Tech, McRae's Department Store, and worked for 19 years as an assistant teacher at Franklin Academy Elementary School, before finishing her Bachelor's degree and obtaining her own 3rd & 4th grade classrooms for nine (9) years at Union Academy Elementary School. Elaine retired in 2013 from the Columbus Municipal School System after serving 28 years. Then in 2013, Elaine began teaching for another 9.5 years in Roanoke & Gordo, Alabama and finished November 15, 2022 from Gordo Elementary School.

Elaine loved her family, cooking, shopping, traveling, family gatherings, cracking jokes, texting, Facebook, QVC, crossword puzzles, Steve Harvey's Family Feud, and arts and crafts.

Welcoming & ushering Elaine in with open arms are her wonderful, loving, & hard-working parents: James (2007) & Bernice Dickerson Craddieth (2011); three (3) sisters: Loretta "Sister" Craddieth-Gray (1977), Nettie Ree Ogden (2020), & Bettie Mildred "Tot" Dickerson (2023); four (4) brothers: Baby Willie James Craddieth (1950s); Culbert "Bubba" Craddieth (1995); Major Ralph "Bugamane" Craddieth (2001); & Ret. 1st Sgt. Joshua Craddieth (2021); four (4) nephews & one (1) great-nephew; grandparents: Andrew D. & Annie Prowell Dickerson, Rachel Kidd Dickerson, Maggie Holmes Craddieth, and Joshua and Ethel Furnace Craddieth all from the Steens/ Caledonia, MS areas.

Those left to revere Elaine's precious memories; also charged with executing her legacy; are a loving and devoted husband of forty-one and a half (41.5) years: Frederick "My Fred" Humphries of Columbus, MS; three (3) awesome sons: Tennile (LaShonda Eddins) Craddieth of Jackson, MS; Stephen F. (Elizabeth Walker) Humphries of Columbus, MS; and Dr. Steven G. Humphries of Tampa, FL; a special daughter and son; Kenneth & Brandi Bickhem-Williams of Albany, GA; eight (8) grandchildren: Ariel Breanne, Ramone Tennile, Destiny Nicole, Kaleb Jahmir, Tenia Simone, Karter Kyree, Christopher Rashad, & Chrishad Elijah.

Elaine also leaves three (3) adorable sisters: Rachel Craddieth (Louis) Jennings of Steens, MS; Jeanette Craddieth (Darryl) Riles of Tupelo, MS, & Delois Craddieth of Steens, MS; five (5) strong brothers: Ret. SFC Andrew "Bay-Bay" Craddieth of Columbus, MS, Otto "Toe" Craddieth of Chicago, IL, Johnny James "Jr." Craddieth of Columbus, MS, Keith "Punkin" (Linda) Craddieth of Steens, MS, & Ret. CSM Arvis "Peanut" (Anamischa) Craddieth of Houston, TX; approx. 180 nieces & nephews whom she all loved and admired; parents-in-law; T.C. Humphries (2014); Otis Tubbs (2000) & Mary L. Everson Humphries Tubbs (2019); additional eighteen (18) sisters & brothers-in-law; four (4) remaining aunts & uncles; and an abundance of other loving cousins, friends, and coworkers who cherished her dearly.

Carter's Funeral Services is inviting you to a scheduled livestream for the Homegoing Celebration for Mrs. Elaine Humphries on Saturday, August 10, 2024 at 11:00 A.M. CST.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2061604094?pwd=5hKBLbt1GETr1roA0NKfvG2PO78gCk.1&omn=88517988287

Meeting ID: 206 160 4094
Passcode: carters