CRAVER

Barbara Nell “Petunia” Alphin Craver, 75, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, June 4, 2013, in Lafayette.

Nell was born in Bogalusa on April 7, 1938, to Cully Eugene Alphin and Nellie Grantham Alphin. She was a 1956 graduate of Bogalusa High School and a 1957 graduate of Soulé Business College in New Orleans. She married Bob Craver in New Orleans in 1959, and they lived in Minnesota until his death in 1984. She returned to Louisiana in 1985, lived in Covington for 12 years and moved to the Houston area in 1997.

Nell was a loving and devoted wife, mother, sister and friend to all who were privileged to know her. She enjoyed making pottery and sharing her work with others. She volunteered at Altus Harbor Hospice and the Center for Pregnancy and served as a foster mother for rescued Chihuahuas. But her greatest achievement in life was her loyal and faithful devotion to her Savior Jesus Christ. She became a Christian in 1978 and spent her life obediently serving Him and joyfully sharing her testimony of faith with others. She had a passion for God’s word and used that knowledge to deepen her understanding of our Lord’s grace, mercy and love. We are heartbroken at losing her but find comfort in knowing she is now and forever in her loving Father’s arms.

She is survived by a daughter, Gretchen Marlise Craver of Pearland, Texas; a sister Rebecca Cullene Alphin Osborn of Pearland; a niece, Cheryl Lynn Craver of Avon Lake, Ohio; a nephew, Douglas Emerson Craver of Berea, Ohio; and numerous cousins.

Her husband, Robert Grant Craver, preceded her in death.

A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 14 at Crowder Funeral Home, 2422 East Broadway in Pearland, with a reception following at Faith Community Church.

Memorial donations may be made to Christian Helping Hands, P.O. Box 34, Pearland, TX 77588-0034, or Mission to the World, www.mtw.org.