Extracted from The Meridian Star (Meridian, MS)
Saturday, August 29, 2009

Eleanor Emmons Craven

NEWTON -- Eleanor Emmons Craven went to be with her Lord in the early morning Aug. 27, 2009. Services will be held today at 10 a.m., at Cedar Grove Baptist Church, with interment in the church cemetery. Brothers Steve Robinson, James Galloway, and Justin Chaney will officiate. James F. Webb Funeral Home of Newton is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Craven, 75, of Lawrence, died after a brief illness in Rush Foundation Hospital. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and servant to her beloved Lord. She was a member of Cedar Grove Baptist Church for over 40 years. ``El'' was a member of the Cedar Grove Singers, a gospel group that performed throughout the region for decades.

Survivors include sons: William Thomas Craven Jr., Paul Wayne Craven and wife, Pam of Lawrence, Robert Christopher Craven and wife, Angela of Newton; daughters: Tonya Craven Sykes and husband, Grady of Lawrence, and Suzanne Craven Campbell and husband, Larry of Cumming, Ga.; 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. "Miss Eleanor" was also blessed with many other numerous loving relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William Thomas ``Tom'' Craven, and parents Ellis Merle and Mary Sue Pace Emmons.

Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church.

Memorials may be made to the Cedar Grove Baptist Church Building Fund, 2458 Cedar Grove Road, Newton, MS39345.

Pallbearers are Tommy Craven, Paul Craven, Chris Craven, Stephan Sykes, Morgan Craven, and Larry Campbell.

Honorary pallbearers are Grady Sykes and Stacey Sykes.