GREENVILLE —– Wallace Craig Vincent, 86, of Graham, passed away peacefully Sunday, July 20, 2025 in Greenville. A devoted Wildcats fan, lifelong hard worker, and proud grandfather, Craig lived a life rooted in humor, humility, and love.
Born at home in Graham, January 4, 1939, to Mildred Undine Craig Vincent, a nurse assistant, and John Wallace Vincent, a coal miner. He was the eldest of two sons, growing up alongside his younger brother, Johnny Dalton Vincent. A 1957 graduate of Graham High School, Craig was a faithful and active member of Graham Baptist Church.
Craig began working early—balancing high school with a full-time job at a Texaco station in Greenville. Just before graduation, he walked into a brand-new Kroger store in Madisonville to apply for a job. By the time he got home, his brother had already taken the call: he was hired. That marked the beginning of a 43-year career with Kroger, where he rose from bagging groceries to becoming a respected head butcher. Craig worked in stores across Ky. and Tenn., including Madisonville, Springfield, Russellville, Bowling Green, Nashville, and Clarksville. He helped set up new stores and train meat department staff—always taking pride in keeping the meat cases full and the customers happy.
Craig married Shirley Robinson after they met in Greenville. They first moved to Springfield, Tenn., where they bought their first home, before moving to Madisonville where he worked for much of his career and ultimately arriving back and settling in Greenville. Craig proudly embraced the role of being a father to Tim, who became the joy of his life. Craig never missed a chance to support Tim’s many interests, especially motorcycles, cars, and basketball.
After retiring from Kroger in 2000, Craig began another chapter—working alongside his son and grandsons at Vincent Auto Solutions. He drove a rollback wrecker truck for 13 years, staying involved in the family business he was so proud to support.
Craig found joy in the simple pleasures—camping at Bryan Lake, weekend trips to the Smoky Mountains, breakfast with his buddies, and making others laugh with his light-hearted pranks. He weathered life’s challenges with faith, resilience, and a warm, joking spirit. His kindness, humility, and humor left a lasting impact on everyone who knew him.
Craig was preceded in death by Shirley, his son Tim, mother Mildred, father John, and brother Johnny Vincent.
Survivors include his daughter-in-law, Teresa Vincent, and his grandsons and their wives: Brandon and Ashley Vincent, Brody and Michelle Vincent, Blake and Erika Vincent, and Ben and Kelsey Vincent. He is also lovingly remembered by his great-grandchildren: Everett, Graham, Harper, and Owen.
Craig was deeply loved, and his legacy will live on through his family, his community, and the many lives he touched along the way.
The family will receive friends at Gary’s Funeral Home in Greenville on Friday, July 25, from 5-8 p.m. and Saturday, July 26, beginning at 9 a.m. The funeral will follow at 11 a.m. Saturday with Bro Todd King officiating. Burial will be at Memorial Gardens, Powderly.
Thanks to Craig’s loving caregivers at Greenville Nursing & Rehab, all those that dropped by to visit him there, and his special visitors from Hospice of Western KY.
Online condolences to the family may be made at www.garysfuneralhome.net
