A Time to be Born…

Samuel R. Craig was the second child born to the late Samuel M. Craig and Louise Salone Craig in

Oklahoma City, OK. He is survived by one sister, Joyce Camille Robinson. His sister, Janice, and brothers

Richard and Reginald, and daughter Alandra, preceded him in death.

A Time to Embrace…

Samuel’s formal education began at Douglass High School in Oklahoma City, graduating in 1964. He

continued at Langston University, only to be interrupted by the country’s conflict in Southeast Asia (Vietnam)

and was assigned to the Strategic Air Command of the United States Air Force.

A Time to Love…

Samuel (affectionately called DC) was happily married to Pastor Emeritus Perline Boyattia-Craig whom

he referred to as the Queen of Muskogee.

A Time to Plant…

After being discharged, Samuel completed his studies at Oral Roberts University and American

Christian College and Seminary (ACCS), completing his M. DIV and Doctorate Degree in Biblical Studies and

Application. Dr. Craig also taught Seminary classes at ACCS, worked for the State of Oklahoma, Langston

University and he is also retired from the Veterans Administration. He is a Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi

Fraternity, NAACP, and the Disabled American Veterans. Dr. Craig was also actively involved in various civil

rights movements under the leadership of Clara Luper in the fifties and sixties beginning at the age of 11 at the

first sit-in demonstrations in the country at Katz Drug Oklahoma City and at 17, the August 28 th , 1963, March

on Washington, as well as other social and cultural events that changed the course of our country. He was

selected as a chaplain in the aftermath of bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building and the historic

1997 tornados that ravaged south Oklahoma City. He was also a Chaplain for Hospice of SW Oklahoma in

Lawton. As an Elder ordained in 1986, he has described these past events as adding to a deeper understanding

of serving God and his ministry roll as an AME pastor at Grant Chapel in Lawton, Oklahoma and other AME

churches throughout Oklahoma, including his last Pastorate at Flipper Chapel AME in Taft, where he retired as

the Pastor Emeritus in 2017. His Chaplaincy inspired him to become a published author, of the “Last Mile of

the Way” sharing some of his encounters with patients and family members facing life-ending situations in

Hospice Care. As a young man, Samuel was a part of a musical group that opened for several singing groups

like the Delfonics and was hand-picked by the late Barry White to be one of his back-up singers. Sam served

two terms as the first African American president of the American Federation of Government Employees Local

2562 VA Hospital in Oklahoma City. He served as a committee member of the Prison Board, Taft, OK, a

member of the Red Cross and was deployed during the horrific wildfires in California. He served on the

Muskogee Facilities and Park and Recreation Boards and was a CASA volunteer for a short time.

A Time to Die…

After a lengthy illness, Sam departed this earthly life on July 6, 2026. He is survived by his wife, Perline

Boyattia-Craig, his children, Dr. Corey N. Craig, New York City, and Jasmine Craig, El Reno Ok, his sister,

Joyce Robinson, OKC, grandchildren, Shontiana and Demetrius Craig, nieces, nephews, cousins, his stepson,

R.E. “Sonny” Boyattia, II and his chosen grands, Serenity Burkhalter, Christopher Pace, and Vi”Ryah Johnson

and their mother Andreka Burkhalter.

You may visit Dr. Craig, as he slumbers in peaceful repose in the Peoples Chapel of the Keith D. Biglow Funeral Directors, Inc., of Muskogee on Thursday, July 16, 2026 between the Hours of 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM.  The public is welcome to attend the Kappa Alpha Psi Memorial Ceremony, which will begin at 6:11 PM at the funeral home, as well.

Additional visitation will be in the Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church, 1400 N.E. 13th Street, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, where Pastor Rufus Howard is the gracious host., on Friday, July 17, 2026 between the hours of 3:00 PM until 6:00 PM.

The Celebratory Worship Service in honor of the life of Dr. Samuel R. Craig will commence on Saturday morning, July 18, 2026 at 10:00 AM in the most holy sanctuary of Avery Chapel A.M.E.  Church, where Pastor Kevin Clark is the gracious host, with Pastor Kevin Clayton, Presiding Elder of the A.M.E. Eastern District, Officiating and Reverend Travis Doolin, Pastor of Greater St. John A.M.E. Church of Tulsa, Oklahoma, delivering the Eulogist Message.

Burial will be on Monday, July 20, 2026 at 13:00 Hours in the Fort Sill National Cemetery, Elgin, Oklahoma with Air Force Honors.

You may order flowers: (918)687-7574 lakelandflorist.com