Otey “Buddy” Berkley Craghead, Jr.

October 30, 1940 – March 13, 2025

Otey “Buddy” Berkley Craghead, Jr., age 84 of Wirtz passed away Thursday, March 13, 2025. He was born October 30, 1940, a son of the late Otey Berkley Craghead Sr. and Minnie Smith Craghead. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Nancy Lee Craghead; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Stuart J. Dudley and Hilda Dudley Yeatts; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Buren and Lousie Law. Surviving are his beloved wife of 56 years, Audrey Dudley Craghead; son, Stephen Scott Craghead and wife Kimberly Perdue Craghead; grandchildren, Tyler Stephen Craghead and wife Brittany Peters Craghead, Katelyn Nicole Craghead and special friend Jake Pendleton; great-grandson, Maverick Stephen Craghead expected June 2025; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Carl and Faye Dudley, Dennis and Janice Powell, Andrew and Joyce Dudley, Norene Bollings and Kenneth Dudley; step-sister-in-law, Darla Crigger. Buddy graduated from Huddleston High School. He served in the U.S. Navy Reserves in May 1960 – May 1962 as a Seaman. In May 1960, he left the Bedford, VA train station and went to boot camp in Great Lakes, Illinois. He was stationed at Little Creek, VA for 12 months before going aboard the USS Saratoga CVA-60 Aircraft Carrier out of Naval Station Mayport in Florida. Buddy took a Mediterranean cruise and also visited several ports in France, Italy, Greece, Lebanon and Turkey. He returned to Mayport Florida in May 1962 and took a bus returning home to Bedford. Buddy retired from Kroger Company with 42 years of service. He worked for the Franklin County Office of Aging from 2000-2024. Buddy was a member of Mt. Ivy Christian Church and enjoyed watching his grandchildren play sports. Funeral services will be held at Flora Funeral Chapel, 2:00 p.m. Sunday, March 16, 2025 with Minister Steve Pasley officiating. Interment will follow in Franklin Memorial Park. His family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Mt. Ivy Christian Church (5120 Scruggs Road, Moneta, VA 24121). Arrangements by Flora Funeral Service and Cremation Center, Rocky Mount.