Mr. Joe Van Crater

CRATER, Mr. Joe Van - Age 66, passed away Thursday, November 5, 2015 at his residence. Family hour 10 a.m. Saturday, November 21, 2015 at Greater Friendship Azusa C.O.G.I.C., G-5165 Detroit St., with funeral service commencing at 11 a.m. Supt. Birdis J. Shields, Sr. officiating. Interment Flint Memorial Park Cemetery, G-9506 N. Dort Hwy, Mt. Morris, MI. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10 a.m. Saturday. Mr. Crater will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 12 p.m. - 8 p.m. Friday. Mr. Joe Van Crater was born on May 23, 1949, in Cornerstone, Arkansas, the son of James C. and Syvella E. (Waters) Crater. Joe became a resident of Flint, Michigan in 1968. He was a member of Detroit Street Church Of God Sanctified in Flint. Joe married in July 24, 1976 to Valorie Smith. He worked at General Motors and was a member of UAW Local #599 and retired in 2006. He enjoyed traveling in his RV, fishing, playing cards, dancing, bowling, barbequing, wrestling, parties, spending time with friends and family, especially his grandchildren. Mr. Joe Van Crater leaves to cherish his memory: 4 daughters, Angela Stallings, Katrina Crater of Flint, Jovonna Crater of Mt. Morris, MI and Katrice Crater of Dayton, OH; son, Antoan (Veranice) Massey of Powder Springs, GA; step child, Kevin (Mia) Smith; grandchildren, Maurice Galloway of Houston, TX, Keyarria and Sammie, both of Flint, Kaitlyn, Xavier and Justin Massey; 3 sisters, Arentha (Alfred) Nelson of Saginaw, MI, Agnes Crater of Flint and Betty Crater of Clio, MI; 3 nieces, Felisha Anderson of Flint, Ramona Anderson of Indianapolis, IN, Kendaja Nelson of Saginaw, MI; 5 nephews, Troy Briggs of Clio, MI, Timothy Crater of Flint, Rodney P. Anderson, Anthony Crater of Flint, Jason (Katrina) Smith of Detroit, and Lonell Anderson of Arkansas; aunt, Birdie Trouser; uncle, Hurley Trouser; mothers-in-law, Katherine Smith and Cartey Smith; son-in-law, Sammie Galloway II; sister-in-law, Kim (Marvin) Smith-Skipper; brother-in-law, Robbie (Beverly) Smith of Detroit, MI; a host of other relatives and friends including special friends, Robert Tutti Trouser, Raheem Banks, Micheal Stephens, Olivia Shelton, Christine Andrews, Annie Lee, Deborah Smith, Andre Nunn, and Charles Smith. Mr. Crater was preceded in death by his wife, Valorie Smith-Crater; his parents, James C. and Syvella E. Crater; grandparents; brother, James (Sunny) Crater, Jr.; great-niece; great-nephew; mother-in-law; father-in-law; 2 grandmothers, Luvenvia and Erma Crater; and 2 uncles, Jonny and Lonnie Walters. The family would like to express special thanks to Dr. T. Singh, MD, McLaren Hospice Healthcare staff, Detroit Street Church of God Sanctified, Joy Tabernacle Church ,Greater Mt. Zion, General Motors, Local #599, Greater Friendship Aszua Ministries Church Of God In Christ, Grace Church Of God In Christ, Covent House Ministries, Mott Community College Library, and MediLodge of Grand Blanc.

Mr. Joe Van Crater

May 23, 1949 - November 5, 2015