On Saturday, November 21, 2020 Janet Elizabeth Craddock a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandparent passed away at the age of 87. She will be interned at the Georgia National Cemetery of Canton Georgia Thursday, December 3, 2020. She will be laid to rest alongside her late husband Henry Carlton Craddock Jr.
Janet was born on September 24, 1933 in Williamsburg, Kentucky to the late parents of Clyde and Tressa Estes. She was the middle child of three. Her older brother, James Tilford Estes, has proceeded her in death. She is survived by her younger brother Clyde Henry (Sonny) Estes of Fort Collins, CO; eldest son Kevin David Craddock and his wife Julie Craddock of Acworth GA; son Mark Daniel Craddock of Tucker GA; grandchildren Michael Carlton Craddock of Acworth, GA and Carolyn Elizabeth Craddock of Los Angeles, CA, and great granddaughter Raven Jane Craddock.
Janet had a diverse educational background. Janet earned degrees in both the medical technology field and fine arts. She earned an Associate of Medical Technology at the Cumberland College, Williamsburg, Kentucky. An accomplished medical technician, Janet was highly skilled in radioisotope laboratory work and training others in these skills. After moving to Atlanta, she worked at Emory University Hospital in the new field of nuclear medicine. She helped establish the Emory’s laboratory methods in this new field during the 1950s and training others in these techniques.
Additionally, in later years, she worked at Dekalb Medical Hospital as a Medical Technologist in the Hospital’s laboratory facility. Using the skills and knowledge she gained during this career, Mrs. Craddock was an instructor at Dekalb Technical College teaching courses in Medical Technology.
During the 1970’s while raising her two sons, Janet completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Georgia State University. She created many original works of art during this time. One of her paintings won a contest for a national magazine. As a result of this competition, her painting was featured as the cover for this magazine.
Janet and Carlton were married in 1956. Their two son’s Kevin and Mark were born in 1958 and 1960 respectively. Raising two sons did not slow Janet down. She enjoyed being active and had many hobbies during her lifetime. She enjoyed sailing, sewing, gardening, art, reading and she was a true animal lover. Janet enjoyed many different activities with her husband and two growing boys. Carlton and Janet purchased a travel trailer for family trips to the Florida Keys. Janet was also an avid sailor. She originally learned to sail on the Chesapeake Bay. She shared that love for sailing with her family. Carlton and Janet kept a sailboat on Lake Lanier which the family enjoyed on many occasions.
Janet was a strong and beautiful woman with a tenacious spirit who achieved success in life while overcoming some of its greater challenges. She always spoke her mind and didn’t let life’s obstacles prevent her from achieving her goals. She was a loving wife to Carlton and was a wonderful mother to her sons, Kevin and Mark. She is greatly missed by all who knew her.
