Virgie Belle Craig

Virgie Belle Craig, 94, o Longview passed away Feb. 3, 2024, at home.

She was born Oct. 1, 1929, in Colorado to Vern and Rosa (Ward) Pember.

Virgie was head accountant/controller for Southland Corp., which owns 7-11 stores, the first convenience store in California. She retired in 1984.

Virgie was a member of the Kelso Bridge Club and a grand master. She enjoyed gardening, sewing outfits for family members, canning the produce from her garden, and visiting with friends and family. She was outgoing, sassy, funny, and extremely smart. She was also loving, forgiving and charitable.

Virgie was married four times, most recently to John W. Craig on May 13, 2013. He survives her at home. Her former husbands were Jim Reid, Bob Horner and Johnny Mason.

In addition to John, Virgie is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Robin and Bruce Strutzenberg of Longview; two sons, Paul Mason and Robert Horner, both of Chehalis, Wash.; a son-in-law and his wife, Johnny and Katie Craig of Edmonds, Wash.; 11 grandchildren, including Crystal Haffermann and her husband Fred of Longview; 22 great-grandchildren; and 15 great-great-grandchildren.

Virgie was preceded in death by her loving daughter, Deborah Lynn Hearn; a brother, Breen Cramer; and two sisters, Jenny Ann Richards and Margaret Cramer.

A service is planned for 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15 at Steele Chapel.

Donations in Virgie’s name are requested to the Humane Society of Cowlitz County, P.O. Box 172, Longview, WA 98632.

Final arrangements have been entrusted to Steele Chapel at Longview Memorial Park & Crematory.