Laura Craft Wiltshire

Mrs. Laura Lee Craft Wiltshire was born in Lake Wales, Florida on May 17, 1936 to the late Thomas Craft Sr. and Annie Lee Craft. She grew up in Lake Wales as one of ten siblings, immersed in a loving community that she would call home for nearly all of her 87 years. Mrs. Wiltshire was a devoted wife and mother as well as a faithful friend.

She accepted Christ at an early age and became an active member of Allen Temple AME Church where she was a member of the Steward Board, the Finance Board, Usher Board No. 2, Maggie Iles Women’s Missionary Society, and Lee’s Chorus.

Mrs. Wiltshire attended Roosevelt High School where she excelled athletically and academically. Some of her fondest memories include being a member of the championship winning women’s basketball team. She graduated in 1954 and was an active member of the Roosevelt Alumni Association. Upon graduating high school, Mrs. Wiltshire accepted a job in Boston, Massachusetts where she also completed several college courses. She later returned to Lake Wales, where Mrs. Wiltshire worked as a secretary for the town’s only Black doctor, Dr. Joseph A. Wiltshire.

In 1963, she married Dr. Joseph A. Wiltshire and from that union came the Honorable Juliette Scales (John), Mrs. Jayne Joyner (Arnold), and Mr. Joseph A. Wiltshire II (Paula). Mrs. Wiltshire was also a loving mother to two children from her late husband’s first marriage, Ms. Jill Wiltshire as well as Ms. Joyce Wiltshire who preceded her in death. In addition to being a homemaker, Mrs. Wiltshire assisted her husband in the running of his medical practice as the Office Manager.

Mrs. Wiltshire was blessed with nine grandchildren: Ms. Rhonda Ferguson, Mrs. Robyn Yant (La’Micah), Ms. Mia Holland, Ms. Jocelyn Wiltshire, Mr. Alexander Joyner, Mr. Andrew Joyner (Kaelah), Mr. Austin Joyner (Darian), Mr. Brandon Scales, and Ms. Amber Scales.

At 11:11 p.m. in Crestview, Florida, Mrs. Wiltshire was called home to be with the Lord. She rejoices in heaven with her parents, husband, daughter Joyce, and siblings Mrs. Annie Pearl Ramsey, Mr. Arthur Thomas, Mr. Robert Thomas, Mr. Ervin Craft Sr., Lt. Co. Jimmie Craft Sr., Mr. Thomas Craft Jr., Mr. Charles Craft, and Mr. Raymond Craft as well as other family members and friends.

Mrs. Wiltshire is survived by her brother Mr. Harold Craft, MSgt, USAF, (Ret.) (Lauren), sisters-in-law, Mrs. Carolyn Craft, Mrs. Kimberly Craft, and Mrs. Mozell Craft, special friends Mrs. Wylene Kimbrough, Mrs. M. Gloria Peterson, Rev. Doris Simmons, and Mrs. Bettye Edwards Snipe, as well as her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren and a loving host of family including nieces, nephews, and cousins who remain to carry on her legacy.

SERVICES: SATURDAY, MARCH 2, 2024 AT 11:00 A.M.

LOCATION: ALLEN TEMPLE A.M.E. CHURCH, 241 C STREET AT WASHINGTON AVENUE, LAKE WALES, FLORIDA 33853.

VISITATION: FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2024 FROM 6:00 P.M. UNTIL 8:00 P.M. AT ALLEN TEMPLE.