Marcus Joe Craft was born November 14, 1952 in Athens, Georgia to Walter and Cynthia Craft. Marcus was the third child of five children and grew up with his siblings, Lloyd, Clifford, Saxon, and Sonnilyn.

Marcus was educated in the Clarke County School System.  He was one of the first African-American students to integrate Clarke Middle School and he attended Burney Harris High School.

In 1969, he married Deborah Sims of Athens. They welcomed to their union two children; daughter, Vickie Anita and son, Corey Lanier.  It was with his children that Marcus shared his love of music and of sports.

Marcus spent most of his working career as a successful salesman in the insurance industry and in the automobile industry. He was a multi-award winning salesman often recognized as the top salesman in the companies for which he worked.

Marcus was an avid lover of music and loved to sing. You could find him performing songs on stage and in church from various artists ranging from Smokey Robinson to The Winans. Marcus was also an avid lover of sports, especially football. His favorite team: The Georgia Bulldogs! His favorite phrases: "Them boys bad!!" and of course, "How 'bout them Dawgs!!".

Marcus loved the Lord and loved ministering the gospel and praying for others. He was the author of two books entitled, "A Father's Prayer" and  "To The People of Athens, Georgia, and To All Who Have an Ear To Hear"; Each sharing a message about the grace and love of God.

Marcus passed away peacefully in the late afternoon of  Wednesday, March 29th at NE Georgia Medical Center Hospice. He fought several years against cancer and has received the ultimate victory!

Marcus was preceded in death by his father, Walter Craft and his mother, Cynthia Mae Craft Thompson. He leaves to mourn his passing, his children, Vickie and Corey; his brothers, Lloyd, Clifford, and Saxon and his sister, Sonnilyn; a close aunt, Jewel Elder, his grandchildren Kianna Maxine, Kalen Brianna, Kamryn Blake, and Courtney Quinn, several aunts and uncles and a host of nieces and nephews and other relatives.