Celebration of the life of

Alphonso Craven, Jr. March 27, 1946—December 1, 2018

Saturday, December 8, 2018 at 2:00 pm

Lambert Chapel Baptist Church

Siler City, North Carolina

Rev. William Harrington, Officiating

Celebration of the life of

Alphonso Craven Jr.

Order of Service

Processional/Musical Prelude…………………..Clergy & Family

Scripture Readings

Old Testament……………………Rev. Larry Smith

New Testament………………Rev. Barry Gray

Prayer of Comfort……………….Rev. Franklin Seymore

Musical Selection…………………….I Won’t Let You Fall

Acknowledgments………………….Sis. Annette Paige

Musical Selection…………….Wind Beneath My Wings

Obituary ………………..(Read Silently)

Remarks

Deacons of Lamberts Chapel Baptist Church

John Grimes, Mayor, Siler City

Gary Tyson, Chief, Siler City Police Department (retired)

Mike Koszulinski, Law Enforcement Association

Mildred Bonds, Chatham County Training School Alumni Assoc.

Sis. Ann Reed………...Craven Family

Rev. Virgil Cotten…………….Cotten Family

Musical Selection……………...Testimony

Eulogy………………...Rev. William Harrington

Musical Selections……………….Morning Train & At The Meeting

Recessional Music

Entombment will be at Lambert Chapel Cemetery

In Loving Memory of Alphonso Craven, Jr

Alphonso Craven Jr., native of Chatham County, NC, was born March 27, 1946 to the late Alphonso Craven Sr. and Jessie Lee Cotton Craven. He entered into eternal rest Saturday , December 1, 2018 at UNC Hospitals, Chapel Hill, NC. Alphonso was very dedicated to his church by serving as a Deacon, Trustee, President of the Usher Board, Sunday School Teacher, Superintendent. He has always been actively involved with the community serving on various commit-tees as officers and coaching Softball, Football and Basketball. He loved sports and always supported his kids and grandkids in whatever sport they played. Always cheering on his Washington Redskins and watching Westerns and “Ask the Pastor” in his recliner. Alphonso retired after thirty-one years of dedicated service to the Siler City Police Department. He began his career as a Dispatcher on December 4, 1971. After serving in this capacity for five months, he was hired as a patrolman on May 1, 1972 and promoted to Patrol Sergeant on February 3, 1975. In 1977, he was recognized as the officer contributing most to the community and also graduated with honors from CCTI with an Associates Degree in Applied Science Law Enforcement. He was promoted to the rank of Detective on September 19, 1983 and in less than two years, was again promoted, this time to Sergeant Detective July 1, 1985. He was promoted to Major on July 1, 1994 and served in this capacity until his retirement on July 1, 2002. He was preceded in death by his father, Alphonso Craven Sr, his mother, Jessie

Lee Cotton Craven. Two brothers, Murray Craven, Carl (Duck) Craven and One

sister, Martha Peoples. He leaves to cherish his memory his high school sweet-

heart, Mary Alice of fifty-three years. They have four children: Angela Dones

(Donald), Rodney Craven (Dee), Lynn Craven and Renee Craven. Five Siblings:

Shirley Emory, Thomas (Bubba) Craven, Mary Williams, Michael Craven

(Nadine), Stephen Craven (Evonne) and Eunice Peoples Jr. Ten grandchildren:

Daniel, Marquis, Chanelle, Erik, Quintin, Allison, Brandi, Devante, Dejah, and

Ian. Five great-grandchildren: Cayden, Amir, Kameron, Khloe and Korynn. In-

laws: Nellie Watson (Clarence), Brenda Siler (Jimmy), Doug Paige (Debra) , Mar-

va and a host of many nieces, nephews and dear friends.

My life holds so many gifts...you’re the greatest one… I can’t imagine a better match Than you and me. No one moves me quite like you do Or warms my heart and lights up my life The way you can. You’re never too busy to take time for me And listen to my heart. We may face struggles now and then, But in the midst of them all Your willingness to see things through Has made all the difference. I guess that’s just one of The many reasons why I can’t stop loving you. You are the happiness I cherish And my dearest friend. You are my partner and confidant; You are everything to me. You are all the true things in life: Family, laughter, and love. You’re everything that makes My heart dance And my world shine. I’m forever changed By your love, Forever blessed and grateful, And I just want to say “I love you”. The greatest gift of all Was the two of us together. - Mary Craven

Ode to Our Father

There is a void in our hearts today

As we gather to say our final goodbyes,

Our hearts heavy

Your departure unexpected

Catching us off guard, taking the wind from our sails

Leaving us adrift and lost at sea

There is a void in our hearts today

As we enter the room, your chair empty

The TV silent, almost as if the house is mourning your loss as well

You were a ray of light

A shining example of God's goodness and grace

You were our coach, our mentor, our spiritual guide

You kept this family safe and secure and made sure we all knew how much we

were loved

There is a void in our hearts today

As we wrestle with our grief

And try to define life without you

Today is overwhelming

But we are comforted by knowing that as each day passes our pain will lessen

There is a void in our hearts today

But we are here to celebrate you

To thank God for the time He has given you to us

To thank God for the remarkable husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather,

brother and friend that you have been

And to let you know how incredibly loved you are

We will miss you.

Angie, Rodney, Lynn, Renee, Dee, and Donald

Pop’s Gone To Heaven One quiet day the angels came And took Pop far away But in the stillness of the night I could almost her him say “Dear grandchild, I will miss you You mean so much to me But Jesus called me to His side In Heaven I will be A place of God’s great beauty No tears or earthly cares Only peace and joy forever And love beyond compare So remember all the good times Don’t think about the sad Treasure all the special moments Through the years we’ve always had And if you trust in Jesus I can promise this and more You will get a hug from Pop Someday on Heaven’s golden shore” Dan, Marquis, Chanelle, Erik, Quintin, Allison, Brandi, Devante, Dejah, and Ian Cayden, Amir, Kameron, Khloe, and Korynn

Pall Bearers

Classmates, Nephews and Law Enforcement Officers

Floral Bearers

Nieces and Friends

Thank You

The Craven Family would like to thank each and every one of you for your ex-

pressions of kindness, your thoughtful cards, your love, compassion and your

heartfelt spirit towards our family during our time of grief.

Professional Services Entrusted To:

Knotts and Son Funeral Home

W.H. “Chip” Knotts, Jr.

1501 Martin Luther King, Jr.

Siler City, NC 27344

(919) 742-4602

Nelsonfuneralhome@yahoo.com