Wednesday
December 18th, 2024
2:43AM
Armede Craft Bynum passed away peacefully at her home on December 29th, 2016 surrounded by her family. She was born in Conyers, Georgia on May 4th, 1936, to Dr. Luther Blake Craft and Willie Kate Camp Ogden (both deceased). She moved to Clayton, Georgia in 1950, when her father was brought in as the minister to First United Methodist Church.
She graduated from Young Harris Academy and attended Georgia State College for Women. When home on the weekends, she would have dinner with her father at The Bynum House where she met and fell in love with her future husband. She married local attorney, Knox Bynum on April 8, 1956, in East Point, Georgia. During their early years of marriage, the young Armede graciously carried out the role of a Statesman’s’ wife while her husband represented Rabun County in the State Legislature.
Residing in her beloved Clayton, Georgia she became a home maker raising four children; Mary Alice Bynum of Highlands, N.C , Thad Bynum (Janelle)of Clayton, Ga.; Irene Bynum Faith (Marvin) of Tiger, Ga. and Becky Bynum Loggins (Jeff) of Buford, Ga.
During her life she was active in the Junior Woman’s Club and served on the City of Clayton Hospital Authority. She worked on the Rabun County Election Committee and was a Red Cross Volunteer. She was very active in her children’s schools and booster clubs during their years in the Rabun County School System. She encouraged their interest and participation in their various extracurricular activities. She worked as a Title 1 Aide and substitute teacher during those years.
She served several terms on the Clayton City Council. Upon her retirement as a councilwoman, the Mayor and council signed an ordinance officially declaring May 4th as ARMEDE BYNUM DAY.
She was a loyal friend to many and was known for her spontaneity, loyalty, creative flair and free spirit. She was an advocate for the less fortunate and her many acts of kindness were carried out in a private manner.
She loved her bridge club, snow skiing during the Sky Valley era, boating and fishing on Burton, camping and beach trips with her family. She loved music and she loved to dance.
She was a loving grandmother to seven grandchildren: Brent Keller, Katie Keller Copeland (Taylor), Lucas Bynum, Andrew Bynum, Emily Loggins, Abby Loggins and Tom Loggins.
She was a devoted sister to Frances Parris of Columbia, South Carolina, Bryan Craft of Athens, Georgia, and Rev. Asbury Craft of Blairsville, Georgia. She was predeceased by her sister, Sue Woolwine and brother, Lanier Craft. She had many nieces and nephews that she loved dearly and looked forward to seeing each year at the CRAFT FAMILY REUNION. She loved God, her family and home town.
The lighted cross was a priority to her and her late husband and the family requests memorials be made to The Rabun Cross Society, P. O. Box 1853, Clayton, Georgia.
The family will receive friends Saturday January 7, 2107 12:30 pm. until 2:30. A memorial service will follow in the Chapel of Beck Funeral Home at 2:30 with Dr. Jim Cantrell officiating.
Beck Funeral Home, in Clayton, Georgia, is in charge of the arrangements. If there are any questions, please call 706-782-9599. An online Memorial Register Book is available at www.beckfuneralhome.com.
