Jacob Shelby Craig, III

Dr. Jacob Shelby Craig, III passed to the Church Triumphant on May 2, 2019 at the age of 87 after a brief battle with cancer.

He resided in Vero Beach, FL with his wife, Dr. Lucille Shea Craig.

Jacob was born in Little Rock, Arkansas on April 22,1932 to Jacob Craig II and Violetta Sensibaugh. He grew up in North Garden, near Charlottesville Virginia on a farm with his father, a large animal veterinarian. Jacob enlisted and served as a combat medical corpsman during the Korean War.

Following his honorable discharge from the U S Navy, he pursued various professions, until, in the 1960s he focused his education in psychology. He earned his Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology from Tennessee Christian University, and an honorary doctorate, also in psychology.

His lifelong passion of sailing took him all over the Caribbean and South America – as far south as the Orinoco River. He was regarded as a highly skilled sailor. He especially loved the Bahamas and formed lasting friendships with the people he met there, especially the Lowe family of Marsh Harbour, Abaco.

Jacob had a deep love of his Scottish heritage and instilled an abiding family pride in his children and grandchildren. His love of music and reading was apparent to all who knew him. He enjoyed listening to classical music for hours and was especially fond of Wagnerian opera. He was well traveled but only a few places were near and dear to his heart. Scotland, The Bahamas, and Blairsville GA were especially dear to him, the memories made there even more so.

Jacob had a strong faith in God. practicing his faith with daily scripture and prayer. He served in numerous missions, as ruling elder in his church and as a Gideon. He was never happier than when he was teaching the Word of God. Jacob was a Life Member and active in the Sons of American Revolution (SAR), serving in various offices of the David C. Payne Camp. He was also a life member and former officer in Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV) in Blairsville Ga. He love of his country was strong and informed.

Jacob is survived by his wife, Dr Lucille Shea Craig; his daughter Jennifer S. C. Dickinson, from his marriage to Nancy L. R. Craig, of Clinton, MA, and her husband Scott and their two children grandson David Dickinson, wife Devin and their one year-old twins, Miriam Craig and Lorraine Keady of Augusta Maine; granddaughter Shelby Ann Dickinson, and her husband Jeremy Vermilyea of Brunswick, Maine, who are expecting their first child in October.

He is also survived by his three children from his marriage to Paula Jean Redditt: Jacob Shelby Craig IV, wife Jennifer and 6 year old son, Landon Pierce of Vero Beach, Florida; Jessica Sarai and her fiancé, Evan Chakonas of Elmwood Park, Illinois, and Joshua Scott and his three year old daughter, Khloe Skye, of Blairsville, Georgia.

Two small family memorial services will be held: on May 23rd at First Presbyterian Church of Vero Beach, where Jacob was a member; and in Blairsville, Georgia, at the Choestoe Cemetery, where he will be interred in late June 2019.