TYLEE HEZEKIAH CRAFT
“Let your faith be bigger than your fear.” Hebrews 13:6
Tylee “Ty” Hezekiah Craft entered his heavenly home on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, at UNC Hospice Care in Pittsboro, North Carolina. Born on Oct. 1, 2001, in Sumter, South Carolina, he was the youngest of two sons born to September Craft.
“Ty,” as he was affectionately called, was reared in a Christian home full of strong faith in God, impeccable integrity and a firm belief in hard honest work. He was a member of Emmanuel United Methodist Church, where he was an “Angels In Motion” praise dancer. He was educated in the public schools in Sumter County, graduating early in December 2019 from Sumter High School with a 4.46 GPA. During his junior and senior years, he was enrolled in Sumter High School and Central Carolina Technical College's dual-enrollment program with near completion of an associate degree.
He then received a full athletic scholarship and entered University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as a second-semester freshman in 2020 as a wide receiver, pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise and Sports Science/Sports Administration. On May 12, 2024, he received his BA and his Master’s Degree on Oct. 10, 2024, in Applied Professional Studies from University of North Carolina with a 3.073 GPA. He was working toward being an NFL scout.
Tylee was an SHS standout student athlete during his high school career that culminated in representing South Carolina in the 2019 Shrine Bowl as a senior. He was a multi-sport player earning varsity letters in track, basketball and football. He was recruited as a promising wide receiver for the Tar Heels. While at UNC, he was a student athlete working with the football and basketball teams. Tylee received numerous awards during his career: 2020-21 ACC Honor Roll; UNC Dean’s List fall 2020 and spring 2021, 2022-23 Tar Heel Scholar Athlete; 2022 Disney Spirit Award; UNC Quincy Monk Courage Award; UNC John Lotz Award Recipient; and was one of five college athletes named to the Uplifting Athletes Rare Disease Champion Team in the nation. Tylee also was the ambassador for the White Ribbon Project for Cancer Awareness. UNC will name its new nutrition center The Tylee Craft Nutrition Center.
The UNC community rallied behind him with the “Tyleestrong” hashtag since his diagnosis. Ty’s infectious smile and warm heart affected all who encountered him. He never gave up on his dream to travel and meet different athletes. Ty loved football and loved his Tar Heels teammates.
As stated by Tylee, “It makes my days better because I’m able to go and spend time with the team and still be surrounded by my teammates and still go to classes and go to workouts when I can.”
In 2023, Jordan Gregg and Tylee Craft gave back to their community by hosting Tylee Craft Flight School, teaching young athletes football skills and life lessons. One is hanging in the wing of the SECU House where he stayed.
He leaves to cherish his memories: his loving and devoted mother, September Craft; older brother, Taykell McCray of Sumter; maternal grandmother, Christine Irving (Philip) of Philadelphia; paternal grandfather, Girard McQuiller (Sylvania), and Henry McCray of Sumter; maternal great-grandmother, Annie Mae McQuiller of Sumter; special aunt, Frances C. Moss of Sumter; nephew, Master Legend K. McCray of Sumter; and steadfast/beloved girlfriend, Olivia Deepak of Charlottesville, Virginia; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends.
Public viewing will be held on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, from 3 to 6 p.m. at Job’s Mortuary.
Funeral services will be held on Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, at 1 p.m. at Sumter High School Gymnasium, 2580 McCrays Mill Road, Sumter, with the Rev. James Moses Smith, officiating, and Chaplin Mitch Mason, words of comfort.
Donations can be made to the SECU Family House in Chapel Hill, N.C., and/or Tylee Craft Nutrition Center at UNC-Chapel Hill in memory of Tylee.
Job’s Mortuary Inc., 312 S. Main St., is in charge of arrangements.
Online memorials may be sent to the family at jobsmortuaryinc@gmail.com, or visit us on the web at www.jobsmortuary.net.