Rebecca Craven

Rebecca Brown Craven, of Raleigh, NC, passed away Sunday, May 19, 2013, at Rex Hospital. Daughter of the late Numa Estes Brown and Hallie Hall Winchester Brown, Becky was born in Iredell County on June 16, 1925. She received her education from Statesville schools and attended Mitchell College. She subsequently received her Degree in Education from Wake Forest College. Becky taught school in the years prior to marrying and having a family. Later, she returned to work and was employed in retail sales and eventually with the Department of Social Services in Asheville, NC, from which she retired at the age of 71. Five years later, Becky moved to Raleigh to be closer to her children. In addition to her parents and former husband, Junius (Jay) Atwood Craven, Becky was preceded in death by one brother, Nelson Eric Brown; two sisters, Rachel Brown Hefner and Thelma Ruth Brown; and a half-sister, Hazel B. Matthews. Becky is survived by one daughter, Ann Winchester Craven of Washington, D.C.; two sons, David Atwood Craven of Raleigh and John Penry Craven and wife Shelley, also of Raleigh; one granddaughter, Selah Raven (Molly Craven) of Asheville; one grandson, Joshua David Craven of Raleigh; and one great-grandson, Mateo Craven of Asheville. A number of nieces and nephews also survive. Graveside funeral services will be conducted at 12:30 pm on Monday, May 27, 2013, at Oakwood Cemetery in Statesville, NC. The family will visit with friends following the services. In lieu of flowers , memorial contributions may be made to the Carolina Waterfowl Rescue, P.O. Box 1484, Indian Trail, NC 28079 or to Amnesty International, 5 Penn Plaza, New York, NY 10001. Online condolences can be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com/obituaries; Nicholson Funeral Home in Statesville is serving the family of Rebecca Brown Craven.