CORDELE — Crisp and surrounding counties that make up the Cordele Judicial Circuit are mourning the loss of Chief Assistant District Attorney (ADA) Barbara Becraft who died Dec. 19 in an Oregon hospital.

According to District Attorney Denise Fachini, Becraft, who had a history of cardiac illness, became ill while in flight to Oregon to spend time with family. Once the plane landed she was taken to the hospital where she had a heart attack.

Becraft had served as chief ADA for the past 12 years. She had most recently prosecuted a child molestation case in Wilcox County that resulted in a conviction and a lengthy prison sentence, Fachini said.

“Barbara was an intelligent, dedicated and talented prosecutor,” said Fachini. “While she could and did try every kind of case, it was those involving children where her real talent showed.

“She anguished over every case where the victim was a child but always stepped up to prosecute the offenders. No child could have been given a stronger voice or more courageous advocate than Barbara Becraft.

“There is little one can contribute to our world today that means more than standing up and seeking justice for a child. Barbara, my co-worker and my friend, will certainly be missed.”

Tim Eidson, who often met Becraft on the opposite side of the courtroom as the circuit’s public defender shared Fachini’s thoughts about Becraft.

“She truly cared about the victims of the criminal offenses that her office prosecuted.” he said. “Inside the courtroom she was a tough, but fair adversary. Outside the courtroom she was a true friend who had a heart of gold. I will truly miss her.”

Becraft also worked in Americus for several years for the District Attorney’s Office of the Southwestern Judicial Circuit, starting as an ADA and later being named Chief ADA for the circuit. She left Americus in late 1999.

R. Rucker Smith, chief judge for the Southwestern Judicial Circuit, worked with Becraft when she was in Americus and while he was also an ADA for the circuit. On Wednesday, he issued the following statement.

“I first meet Barbara when District Attorney John Parks hired her as an assistant DA in the mid 1980s. She was fresh out of Mercer Law School, a young, idealistic lawyer that had never tried a jury trial. I had the pleasure of sitting second chair when she tried her first case as lead counsel. I enjoyed watching her develop as a lawyer and a friend and was very proud of the person she became.

“Barbara was a perfectionist and a very tenacious trial lawyer. She was dedicated to her clients, tough but conscientious to other attorneys and the court. She replaced me as Chief Assistant (DA) when I left the office to go on the bench in 1992. She was a career prosecutor who could be resolute, but always tried to see both sides and be fair. She was a true professional that others should emulate; she will be missed by the profession, her many friends and family.”

A memorial service will be held later for Becraft, who lived in Cordele with her husband Henry O. Jones III.



Beth Alston also contributed to this story.