Mrs. Bessie (Bea) Craven

Our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, Bessie (Bea) Howard Craven, 78 passed from this life April 7, 2017 in Atlanta, GA. She was born September 17, 1938, to Eula Lee Ray Hagan and J.C. Howard. She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Roy Craven, Sr.; son, Donald Roy Craven, Jr.; brother, Matthew Hagan. Left to cherish her memory are her daughter and son in law, Toya Craven Engel and Allen L. Engel, grandsons, Taylor Allen Engel and Jared Matthew Craven; daughter in law, Payge Craven Sofranko; sister, Joan Hagan; brothers, Don Hagan and Bobby Hagan and a special mention of her sister/best friend, Dorothy Parker Wiles. She reminded each and every one of us, often, how very much she loved us. She is, and always will be, dearly missed by her family and everyone who knew and loved her. Bea was an active resident at The Jewish Towers in Atlanta, GA and will be greatly missed. She loved good food and socializing, enjoyed going to movies and plays with friends and had a smile that could light up a room. She was always very proud of her lemon meringue pies that everyone enjoyed so much. Bea was a graduate of The High School of Charleston in Charleston, SC, and grew up in the congregation of Citadel Square Baptist Church. Upon graduating she devoted her life to her family and took great pleasure in raising her children. She was very active in all aspects of their lives from Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts Leader, Swim Team Mom, YMCA Volunteer Mom, School PTA, and Room Mom. Bea continued on in those efforts as a Grandmother Volunteer with Taylor Engel at The Walker School. She was her happiest when she was around her family. We will greatly miss all of her stories and adventures of growing up in Charleston, SC. She truly had a wonderful life. In her senior years, she enjoyed the life she built in Atlanta, GA to be closer to her daughter. She has many friends who will miss her greatly. Special mention to her Sunday School Class at Roswell United Methodist Church. The family holds special appreciation for the staff at Piedmont Hospital, as well as the many doctors and medical community members who cared for Ms. Craven. The Atlanta visitation will be held on Sunday. April 9, 2017 from 4:00 until 5:00pm with a funeral service beginning at 5:00pm at Northside Chapel Funeral Directors. The Charleston visitation will be held on Monday, April 10, 2017 from 5:00 until 7:00pm at Stuhrs Funeral Home, 2180 Greenridge Road, North Charleston. A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, April 11, 2017 at 11:00am at Biggin Parish Cemetery, Moncks Corner, SC. Donations can be made in the honor of Bea Craven to the American Cancer Society. Condolences for the family may be offered online at www.northsidechapel.com

Mrs. Bessie (Bea) Craven

September 17, 1938 - April 7, 2017