Marvin Lester Cravens

Marvin Lester Cravens, son of the late Grover Cleveland and Maude Etha (Bolian) Cravens, was born on December 4, 1927 in Wright County, Missouri and departed this life on August 2, 2014 in Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Missouri. He was 86 years, 7 months, and 29 days of age.

Marvin grew up near Hartville and graduated college from Southwest Missouri State (now Missouri State University) in Springfield, Missouri. He served his county in the Army during WWII and the Korean War. From his service in Korea, Marvin earned the Victory Medal, two Bronze Stars, and the Purple Heart.

Marvin married Doris Freeman on March 28, 1952 in Wright County. Three children were born to this union.

Marvin was converted on the first Sunday in November, 1948 at the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Wright County. He answered the call to the ministry in April of 1953. He preached in several churches in Missouri and served as the Church Camp Director for Camp Cumberland for several years. Marvin taught school for thirteen years in the sixth, seventh, and eighth grade classes. He was also a school bus driver for many years.

Marvin greatly enjoyed fishing, gardening, singing, and visiting with his many friends and family. He will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him.

Besides his parents, Marvin was preceded in death by one grandson: Jason Moore; ten brothers: Luther, Clifford, Wilbur, Rupert, Albert, Vernon, George, Robert, Ellis, and Farris; and by two sisters: Ruby Floyd and Eula Sulser.

He is survived by his loving and caring wife of their home: Doris; one son: Ronnie Butch Cravens of Springfield, Missouri; two daughters: Connie Moore and her husband, Wayne, of Springfield, and Melba Chance and her husband, Paul, of Dallas, Texas; one sister: Ruth Bills of Ash Grove, Missouri; three sisters-in-law: Mahalla Cravens of Hartville, Missouri, Wilma Cravens of Aurora, Missouri, and Thelma Cravens of Springfield; three grandchildren: Christy Chance Melia and her husband, Chris, Katie Moore Phillips and her husband, Noah, and Ryan Chance; three great-grandchildren: Levi and Tristan Melia, and Blake Phillips; and many other friends and family.


Visitation: Monday, August 4, 2014 from 6:00 - 8:00 PM in the Chapel.

Funeral Services: Tuesday, August 5, 2014 at 1:00 PM in the First Free Will Baptist Church, Mtn. Grove.

Burial: Hillcrest Cemetery, Mtn. Grove.

Memorial Contributions: Gideons or St. Jude c/o the funeral home.