Henry F. Cravens made a peaceful transition to eternal rest on Saturday March 9, 2019 at the age of 91. His life began in Lockesburg, Arkansas on May 22, 1927. He was the eighth sibling of ten children to the late R.C. Cravens and Annie (Counts) Cravens.
Henry attended public schools in Lockesburg. He graduated as the class valedictorian from Sevier County High School in 1946. Following graduation he moved to Phoenix Arizona to begin employment with Bowen & McGlaughlin(BAE). In 1949 Bowen & McGlaughlin(BAE) moved there operations to York, Pennsylvania. After coming to York he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served from 1950-1952. Upon his honorable discharge he returned to resume his employment at Bowen & McGlaughlin(BAE). In 1958 a new career began with Caterpillar Tractor Company in York, Pennsylvania. After 35 years with Caterpillar he retired as the Plant Supervisor in 1983. Henry also held various part-time jobs while working full-time through out his life. Some of which included Weis Markets and driving trucks for Jim Stewart of York.
In his personal life he was a loyal son to his parents and to his nine siblings; Eva Cravens Thompson, Randolph Cravens, Cedell Cravens, Charles (Jake) Cravens, Q.T. Cravens, Juanita Cravens Bell, Quida Cravens McFalls, Winfred (Ray) Cravens, Frances Cravens Austin. He was raised in a close knit loving family. His parents taught him at an early age the meaning and value of family, and he learned that lesson well. On October 11, 1953 he married Dorothy Sease. Their union was blessed with one daughter, Charmaine Cravens Avery and two sons, Dwight and Anthony (Tony) Cravens. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, an affectionate and supporting grandfather as well as a great grandfather. Henry was known as “Pop-Paw” to his grandchildren Christopher W. Avery and Courtney D. Avery along with his great grandkids, David (Avery) Heath, Rihana J. Gerrick, Safiya K. Avery, Amir N. Avery, Anthony (Doie) P. Ramos to whom he loved with all his heart.
His second love in life was fishing. He enjoyed fishing with his son Kerry Kirkland and his best friends George Ceroy and Major Woods.
At an early age Henry was United with the Macedonia Methodist Church in Lockesburg, Arkansas. Sometime after joining Small Memorial Church in York, PA he became a faithful member and took great pride in serving the Lord. In his active years with the church he served on several committees; Treasurer of the Building Fund and Treasurer of the Trustee Board. He was in charge of the church’s kitchen and served as one of the main cooks. He also helped to maintain the church building and grounds. But the most enjoyable position he held was being one of the main cooks in the kitchen, preparing food for any occasion necessary when needed. It’s safe to say he loved to cook, you could usually find him the kitchen not only at church but at home. It was important to him to make sure the food was “good” and no one was going to leave hungry.
Before his illness disabled him to freely move about he was an active and proud family member of the Cravens Turrentine and Ransome Sease family. He always looked forward to fellowshipping with his families at his reunions. He was a major contributor by serving as President for the 11th and 12th Ransome Sease reunion held in York during the summers of 1969 and 1970. In spite of his poor health he attended the Cravens Turrentine reunion in Texarkana, Arkansas in 2017 he. He was adamant that he wanted to go back home to see his family and old friends whom he hadn’t seen in years. That would be his last reunion he was able to attend.
Both his parents and his nine siblings proceeded him in death. Henry leaves to celebrate his life and to cherish his precious memories his loving wife of 65 years, who he called “Dottie”; his three sons, Kerry L. Kirkland Sr. (Juanita), Dwight T. Cravens (Mercedes), Anthony W. Cravens; daughter Charmaine Cravens Avery (Charles); his grand and great grandchildren; step-grandchildren and step-great grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and a host of family and friends.
Henry loved and cherished his family and enjoyed the times they shared together. He will truly be missed by his family as the last Patriarch of the Cravens Clan.
He fought a good fight, He finished the race, And he kept his Faith, Rest now “Fay”, “Dad”, “Pop”, and “Uncle Fay” your job is done and you did good.
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