Zanada Cravens, 88, of Mount Carmel, Illinois, passed away Sunday, January 23, 2022, at Wabash General Hospital, surrounded by the love of her family. She was born on May 13, 1933, in Harrisburg, Illinois, the daughter of Bon and Pauline (Wilson) Tolbert. She married Kenneth Cravens on August 11, 1956, in Mitchellville, Illinois, with Reverend Paul Dann officiating. Together they enjoyed fifty-eight years of marriage until his passing on January 5, 2015.
Zanada worked alongside her husband as the office manager at their family-owned business, Clarks Sheet Metal and Roofing. She was very involved with the local Chamber of Commerce, and Merchants Association. She was immensely proud of the work she did in the community. Zanada had a love for animals, especially her cats. She loved gardening and always kept her yard looking very nice. All of her life, she enjoyed writing poetry which brought her great comfort. She enjoyed traveling to many different places along with her husband. In later years, her favorite trips were to California to visit her son. Zanada was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was of Christian Faith with a sweet and gentle spirit who was blessed to be able to spend time with her great-grandchildren, instilling in them a loving legacy. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends.
Zanada leaves behind her son, Kevin Cravens of Colfax, CA; daughter, Connie Clark, and husband David of Mount Carmel; grandson, Matthew Clark of Olney, IL; great-grandchildren, Aiden Logan, Bryar Clark, Clayton Clark and Deacon Clark; many loved cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Zanada was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Kenneth; brothers, Bob, James, and Harold Tolbert; sisters, Pauline Elsie Lewis, Betty Trippe, and infant sister, Zedia Ruth.
Funeral Services will be 1:00 p.m., Thursday, January 27, 2022, in the Chapel of Keepes Funeral Home with Pastor Mark Richison officiating. Burial will follow at Highland Memorial Cemetery.
Family and friends may gather for a Visitation from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Thursday, January 27, 2022, in the Chapel of Keepes Funeral Home.
Social distancing, wearing of face coverings and use of hand sanitizer is recommended.
Memorial contributions may be made in Zanada’s memory to CLL Leukemia Foundation. Envelopes will be at the funeral home or may be mailed to Keepes Funeral Home, 1500 N Cherry St. Mt. Carmel, IL 62863.
Keepes Funeral Home is serving the family with the arrangements. To view Zanada’s tribute wall, leave condolences and purchase flowers for the Cravens family, please visit www.keepesfuneralhome.com
