Thursday, June 30, 2022

Obituary -- Ronnie Craven 1938-2022

Ronnie Lee Craven entered into his eternal rest on Sunday, June 26, 2022, at the age of 83.

Ronnie was born in Gentry County, Missouri, to Clifford and Neva (Wilkinson) Craven on September 9, 1938. He was the seventh of twelve children.

After graduating high school, Ronnie began his working career as a mechanic, and then progressed to retail sales when he moved to Colorado with his young family. In the late 1960’s his brother Clif invited him to return to Missouri to work as a commercial carpenter, a vocation that became his career for thirty years, until his retirement at the age of 60. Though he loved his work, Ronnie’s real passion was for his family and friends. His greatest joy was to spend time with everyone in the expansive circle of belonging that he created as he embraced and accepted everyone whom he came to know. He accepted Jesus as his Savior as a young man, and during his closing years he dedicated himself to showing his Savior’s love through deeds of service. Wherever he lived, he loved to be helpful to family, friends, and neighbors, often setting aside his own work to help get a vehicle running, repair a broken tool, or help construct or renovate a building. He and his wife moved to Cleveland, Tennessee for the last three years of his life in order to be close to their two sons. His parting words were “I have a wonderful family and I love each and every one of them. Thank you God and thank you Jesus”.

Ronnie is survived in death by his loving wife, Patricia Ann (Marsh) Craven, and two children Randy (Cheryl) Craven, of Ooltewah, Tennessee, and Roger Craven, of Reliance Tennessee. He is also survived by his siblings Dee (Renata) Craven, Karen Szumiesz, and Neil (Luise) Craven, along with many beloved nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clifford and Neva Craven, brothers Rollie Craven, Charles Craven, Clifford Craven, Gary Craven, David Craven, and sisters Kathryn Craven Want, Jean Craven Wilson, and Connie Craven Jennings.

Funeral Service: 10:00 AM Friday, July 1 at the Roberson-Polley Chapel, Albany. Burial will be in the Miller Cemetery, Denver, MO.  The family will receive friends 6:00-8:00 pm Thursday at the chapel.  Friends may call anytime after 2:00 PM on Thursday.

Memorial Contributions: In lieu of flowers the family encourages donations to Best Friends Animal Society at www.bestfriends.org or can be mailed to Roberson-Polley Chapel, 403 N. Hundley, Albany, MO  64402. 

www.robersonpolleychapel.com


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