Beverly Elaine (Shutts) Cravens

Beverly Elaine (Shutts) Cravens, 87, of Herrin, Illinois passed away on July 30, 2024, surrounded by her loved ones. Bev was born January 6, 1937, in Mattoon, Illinois, and was the daughter of Charles Siefert and Dorothy (Louthan) Shutts. She was married to John Cravens on August 15, 1959, at the Lerna Presbyterian Church.

Bev grew up in Charleston, Illinois where she graduated Charleston Public School in 1955. Bev then went on to study at Eastern Illinois University for Engineering. She then worked for the engineering department at the Central Illinois Public Service Company in Mattoon, Illinois. After marrying John in 1959, they moved to Sterling, Illinois where they had their first son Mark. They moved to Herrin, Illinois a few years later where they had their second son Scott and their daughter Mindy. During Bev’s years of living in Herrin, she worked at Northside Primary School. She worked in the kitchen, on the playground, and bus duty. During this time, she not only saw all of her children go through this school but her grandchildren as well. She enjoyed having her family over where she would cook a meal for everyone each Sunday for lunch. During her free time Bev would sew, make baby quilts for her friends, or make many different plastic craft creations. No matter what she was doing you would always hear Bev humming through the house.

On August 15, 1959, Bev married John Cravens. They shared 63 years of marriage until his passing on November 28, 2022. Together they shared many great memories through raising their children along with their time spent with their grandchildren. In their younger years they spent time traveling to see family and friends in San Diego, Las Vegas, Naples, and the Wisconsin Dells. Bev and John had a yearly family tradition of a hot tamale meal that they held at their home. Family would travel from out of town to come over early in the morning to help make the tamales and would then socialize until dinner time when they got to enjoy their homemade hot tamales. Once they both retired, they enjoyed going out to eat on Thursday nights and would go somewhere different each week.

Bev is survived by her children Scott Cravens and Mindy (Darren) Hicks; her grandchildren Tyler (Hannah) Cravens, Tad Cravens, and Mackenzie Hicks; along with several nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents Charles Siefert and Dorothy (Louthan) Shutts; her husband John Cravens, her brother Charles (Bob) Shutts, and her son Mark Cravens.

Binkley-Ross Funeral Home has been entrusted to assist the family with arrangements. Visitation will be held on Friday, August 2, 2024, from 1:00 – 2:00 P.M. at the funeral home located at 1702 West Boulevard Street, Marion, Illinois. Funeral services will begin at 2:00 P.M. with Pastor Jesse McPherson officiating. Interment will follow in Herrin City Cemetery.

In lieu of customary remembrances the family requests with gratitude that memorial donations be directed to The Alzheimer’s Association.

Please visit www.binkleyross.com to leave online condolences.