It is with deep sorrow that we announce that Marilyn Joyce Craddolph,77, of Xenia, Ohio passed away April 14, 2023

at Dayspring Care Center following an extended illness.

Being the 2 ^nd to the youngest sibling, Marilyn Joyce Harper was born March 1, 1946, in Blackfork, Ohio. She is the daughter of the late Frank and Amanda (Keels) Harper. She is survived by her husband of almost 56 years, David Oscar "Dave aka Butch" Craddolph Jr. and her daughter LoriAnn Craddolph (James) Harris. Also surviving are her three bonus daughters JaToya Bostock, JaDawnya Bostock, and Jonte Bostock; a brother Allen Harper; two sisters Doris (Harper) Craddolph and Glenna "Charlene" (Harper) Jackson, and a host of sister and brother in laws, cousins, nieces, nephews, and bonus grandchildren. Along with her parents, she is preceded in death by two of her brothers Franklin "Frankie" Harper and Arthur "Don" Harper, and loving sister & brother in laws, nieces & nephews.

After graduating from the Decatur Washington High School in Blackfork, Ohio, Marilyn was recruited by the FBI to work as a filing clerk in Washington D.C. This is where she became Ms. Ohio USO pageant contestant and moved into the home of Ms. Dorsey who rented out rooms of her home to other women needing a safe place to live. Living in the big city, her mother suggested that she reach out to her former schoolmate and neighbor David "Dave" Craddolph who was a familiar face and already stationed in the D.C in the military. They met and later married at their hometown church, Union Baptist, on December 16, 1967. Dave was already serving in the Air Force, so Marilyn became a military wife who moved a handful of times throughout their marriage serving overseas and in various parts of the U.S. In 1980 they settled closer to their relatives in Ohio initially in Fairborn, but finally staying put in Xenia, Ohio where they both retired later. Marilyn loved kids and was a teacher's assistant for the physically challenged youth in Germany and then later worked at a handful of daycares until she opened one herself called Little Blessings. Marilyn was still a member at Union Baptist but became an active member of First United Church of Xenia Ohio in the early 1980's serving as a deaconess and choir member. On numerous occasions she organized trips for her current church to visit and sing in her hometown at Union Baptist to show them "the country" as she would call it. It was common to see Marilyn singing solos and playing the tambourine. Her personality was infectious and she loved to dance & travel.

Funeral services will be held by McColaugh Funeral Home at First United Christian Church

Viewing will be held from 11-12pm on Friday, April 21, 2023 at First United Christian Church - 626 N. Columbus St. Xenia, Ohio 45385. Funeral service will follow immediately at 12pm. Burial service will be held at Valley View Memorial

Gardens – 170 N. Valley Rd Xenia, Ohio 45385. Lunch will be served following burial at First United dining hall (rear of building) for family and friends.

Dave and Lori would love to hear your heartwarming memories and/or funny moments with Marilyn so please share them either with a note, card, funeral home website, etc. Thank you to those that are assisting with her going home celebration. We also want to thank those of you that sent cards and/or visited mom at the facility throughout the years as we greatly appreciate it. Many thanks to Hospice of Beavercreek and the staff of Dayspring of Fairborn, Ohio for taking care of Marilyn over the years and the people we met and helped us through it all.

Flowers will be accepted for her service, but we are also hoping to have donations made to the Alzheimer's Association at Alzheimer's Association | Donate to Fight Alzheimer's Disease . Thank you!