Dennis Craten

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die. (Ecclesiastes 3:1- 2)

Mr. Dennis Craten transitioned from this life into the arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Wednesday, February 13, 2019 at age 57. He was born in Saginaw, Michigan to AB Craten and Martha Williams on May 8, 1961.

Dennis was the youngest of seven children. He attended Saginaw Public Schools and received his General Education Diploma in 1987. As a young child, he enjoyed playing with and chasing chickens, turkeys, pigs and dogs while visiting with his late Pastor and Mother, W.T. Harris’ home. He was employed by Saginaw News and gained notoriety as a respectable paperboy at a very young age. He was actively engaged in various neighborhood tasks such as cutting grass, raking leaves and shoveling snow. He worked various jobs as an adult while living in Saginaw, Detroit, Kincheloe Michigan and Framingham, Massachusetts.

Dennis had an uncanny ability to reach people in a deep positive way. His joyful oldest daughter Starnisha Craten, filled his heart with gladness when she was born in 1994. Dennis pulled laughter in a room and he emanated light. He charmed Frances McFee and his beautiful baby girl Sheila Craten was born a year later. He married Frances in 1999 and they remained close friends until this day. He loved his family and he did things in his own way. Every year he would celebrate his birthday on May 1st and he would called his sister Serina and say Happy Birthday. She would asked him, “What are you doing?” He replied, as he laughed aloud, celebrating your birthday.

Dennis truly lived life to the fullest through simple pleasures; playing marbles, chatting with friends, hanging out on 13th street, spending time with family, eating his favorite foods, watching sports, dressing in the latest fashions, sharing humorous stories, telling jokes, traveling down south with his family, going to family reunions, loving on his exceptional eleven grandchildren, snacking on Lay’s potato chips, Doritos, eating Werther’s hard candies, strawberry Twizzlers and drinking Coke pop. He was a loving father, helpful granddad, compassionate brother, kind uncle, dear cousin and good friend.


Our mom, the late Evangelist Martha Emerson, shared these final words in 1994, of a Mother’s Love to her son Dennis: “My precious son I loved you each day more and more, I leave with you my understanding to walk worthy of the vocation of the Lord where with you are called. And finally knowing whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

Dennis was elated to enter Bethlehem Temple Church doors as often as he could and when he could not attend, he would send his tithes and offering. He enjoyed the preaching, teaching and respected the leadership of Pastor, District Elder Curtis Johnson. Dennis recently said, “I was sitting in my place thinking about Harry is gone. We were friends for a lot of years, and I said God is good to me. I stopped drinking. I started praying and I asked God to forgive me for everything I did wrong, to people I hurt, people I mistreated, people I talked bad to. I feel good. I thought about some things mama said and I laughed. I really feel good. I want you to forgive me, I love you and I appreciate you.”

Dennis’ memories are cherished by his daughters, Starnisha, Sheila; son Levar; four bonus children, Terrance, Aletha, James, Isona; one grandson, Da’Marion; ten blended grandchildren; two devoted brothers, Pastor Sammy Williams and Ellis Williams; three caring sisters, Dr. Sheila Wilkins, Inez Williams and Serina Craten; five supportive cousins who were raised with him as his siblings, Lonnie Smith Sr., Carmen Denise Witherspoon, Pastor Robert (Jeanette) Williams III, Dr. Deborah (Tim) Bandy, Jacqueline (Alex) Woody; mother-in-law, Bettie Mcfee; one uncle, Willie Richard; two aunts, Willie Mae Carter and Nedra Williams; two god children, Gloria J. Williams, Darrell D. Harris Jr.; two god brothers, Deon Moten and Duane Moten (Smooth); one god-sister, Holly (Willie) Barnes; seven brothers-in-law; a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends, including lifelong friends, Thomas Wicker, Dione Barrett, Sharon Jones, Lonnie Parker, Steward Brothers, B J, Ronnie Ezell and others.

Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, AB Craten and Martha Emerson; two brothers, Lavern and Albert Craten; one sister, Lillian Craten; grandparents, Robert Williams, Inez Kelley Young, Albert Craten, Louise McGrown, Christopher Jones; four aunts, Ella Williams, Dora Drain, Viola Richard, Pankie Travis; three uncles Robert Williams Jr., LC Craten, George W. Jones; godparents, Ben and Mary Washington; godsister, Sheila Newsome; good friend, Darrell Harris Sr. “Dirty Harry.”

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