Bertha Cravens' Obituary
Bertha Edith Cravens, daughter of Landon Hugh and Mary Sue (Stanifer) Winkler was born October 12, 1925 near Sneedville, Tennessee. She departed this life August 20, 2009 in her home at the age of eighty-three years, ten months, and eight days. On October 23, 1944, Bertha was united in marriage to Robert Bryce Cravens and to this union five children were born. Robert preceded her in death on April 14, 2001. Bertha was also preceded in death by her parents, a son, Stephen Bryce, a brother, Mack Winkler, and three sisters, Mae Pope, Ada Crow and Martha Winkler. She is survived by two daughters, Patty Thompson and her husband, Michael of Clovis, California, Brenda Hutton and her husband, Chuck, of Mansfield, Missouri, two sons, David Cravens and his wife, Tookie of Columbia, Missouri, Tommy Cravens and his wife Linda of Hartville, Missouri; three grandchildren, Jon Thompson, Julie Hutton, and Kellie Hutton, two step-grandchildren, Dennis Branstetter and his wife, Julie, and Trina Branstetter; one great-grandchild, Kylee Thompson; two step-great-grandchildren, Braden Branstetter and Kelsey Triplett; three sisters, Nola Jones and Thelma Cravens of Mansfield, Missouri, Shirley Bogart and her husband, Jerry of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; a brother, John Winkler of Mansfield, Missouri. After moving to the Mansfield area in 1936, Bertha lived with her grandparents, John and Ona Stanifer where she attended #9 and #5 schools as well as Mansfield High School. She attended church at Pleasant Valley Cumberland Presbyterian and accepted Christ as her Savior at the age of twelve. One day while in high school, Bertha and her cousin, Janie Purkey went downtown for lunch. Standing in front of the Bank of Mansfield was an acquaintance, Vernon Cravens. He introduced them to his brother, Robert, who was in full Navy attire. Robert walked Bertha back to school where he was allowed to “sit in” on two of her classes. The teacher then dismissed Bertha so that she could walk Robert to the train station and say their goodbyes! After corresponding through letters and calls and seeing each other when Robert would have a few days on leave, they became engaged. Robert and Bertha were married in Los Angeles, California and honeymooned in Long Beach where he was stationed aboard ship. After WWII was over, Robert and Bertha resided in Lyndsay, California about a year then moved back to Mansfield where they purchased a small farm and started raising their family. In 1965, Bertha began working at Tobin-Hamilton Shoe Company where she was employed for twenty-one years. Bertha enjoyed being a housewife and mother, raising a garden, canning fruits and vegetables, making jellies, planting flowers and making her yard pretty, and cooking wonderful meals for her family as well as hay hands every summer. She also enjoyed hand quilting and was known for her tiny stitching. Bertha was a member of the Mansfield Church of the Nazarene where she kept the nursery for twelve years and has been known to many as “Nana”. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate her life and accomplishments and will cherish the wonderful memories she created for her family and friends. Services will be held at 2:00pm on Monday August 24, 2009 in the Holman-Howe Funeral Home in Mansfield. Burial will be in the Hensley Cemetery. Visitation is Sunday evening 7-9:00pm at the funeral home under the direction of the Holman-Howe Funeral Home Mansfield, Missouri. A memorial has been established to the Mansfield Nazarene Church. Donations may be made through the funeral home. Return to top
What’s your fondest memory of Bertha?
What’s a lesson you learned from Bertha?
Share a story where Bertha's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Bertha you’ll never forget.
How did Bertha make you smile?