John Marion Cravens, 89, went to his Heavenly home on December 11, 2023. John was born on April 28, 1934, in Scranton, Arkansas to the late Willie Thomas and Rebecca (Houser) Cravens.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his first wife, Shirley Pitts Cravens; brothers, James Cravens and Billy Cravens; sister, Sue Ranells and great-grandson, Judson Piercy Cravens.
John is survived by his wife of 30 years, Martha West Cravens of Rye, Arkansas; son, John Allen Cravens and wife Cheryl of Grenada, Mississippi; daughter, Kelly Cravens of Helena, Arkansas; grandsons; Allen Cravens and wife Terra of Grenada, Mississippi, and Kyle Cravens of Winona, Mississippi; granddaughter, Allyson Cravens of Conway, Arkansas; three great-grandsons and one great-granddaughter; brothers, Joe Cravens and wife Lenna of Clarksville, Arkansas; Gery Cravens and wife Joan of Elaine, Arkansas, Jerry Cravens and wife Vicki of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and Larry Cravens and wife Vicki of Mount Juliet, Tennessee.
John was a member and a deacon of Enon Missionary Baptist Church and a Sunday school teacher. He faithfully served and loved his church family until his health declined.
John was a farmer for many years in Elaine, Arkansas and Oneida, Arkansas. He also owned and operated a crop insurance company in Elaine, Arkansas. Upon his retirement, he moved to Rye, Arkansas where he enjoyed raising Boar goats and cattle. He was always a farmer at heart.
Funeral service was held 2:00 p.m. Thursday, December 14, 2023, at Enon Missionary Baptist Church with Bro. Michael Stroh officiating. The burial was in Union Cemetery in Rye, Arkansas. Pallbearers were Allen Cravens, Kyle Cravens, Michael Cravens, Tommy Tooke, Dewayne Forrest and Shannon McCoskey and honorary pallbearer was Albert West. Memorials can be made to the Gideon Bible Foundation.
