Yvonne "Bright" (Barnett) Craver

Yvonne Barnett Craver was born on January 8, 1954, in Phoenix, Arizona to the late Ruby and Andrew Barnett. When she was born, our Dad named her Bright Eyes because he said, “she has the most beautiful bright eyes”. She lived up to all of this. She was a bright and shining star in our family and in the world. She was one, in the family of 13 children. Her earthly journey ended on March 19, 2021, this is the same day her Heavenly Life Began!

Yvonne attended Percy L. Julian and T.G. Barr Elementary schools, and also, South Mountain High School where she graduated with distinction in 1972. She was a member of the “National Honor Society” and received outstanding Scholastic Recognition from “The Daughter of the American Revolution” and “The South Mountain High School Faculty”. She was awarded a 4-year scholarship and matriculated to the University of Washington, Seattle, to pursue her undergraduate studies. She graduated in 1976 with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

While attending college, she worked part-time for the Aetna Insurance agency. Upon graduation she was offered a full-time position with the Aetna Insurance Agency which she accepted. This created a new horizon for her. She relocated to Meriden, Connecticut and began her professional career.

Yvonne met Robin Craver and they were joined in holy matrimony in 1981. Born to this union are two children. Christopher Robin Craver and Ashlee (Craver) McDonald. Later, Yvonne returned to the Phoenix area and began working for the Auto Owners Insurance Agency. She continued at this company until she retired in 2019.

Yvonne was blessed and had an extraordinary sense of candor. This talent led her to seek, study and learn more. The more she learned, the more she shared her knowledge with others. She studied the Bible religiously. She began to volunteer to lead Bible studies with the young children, where she used her talent in writing skits and plays. In recent years, she has relished in leading the weekly Family Adult Bible study class.

Her talents are immeasurable. She was musically inclined. She played the piano and sang in various choirs; and participated, as a singer, on an album while being involved with “The Good News Club”. She had a natural talent as an organizer and helped orchestrate many family events.

She will be remembered for her giving and unselfish spirit, as her beacon of light shines to all who knew her.

Preceded her in death was her husband, Robin Craver and one brother, Earl Barnett. Yvonne is survived by her two children, Christopher Robin, and Ashlee McDonald (Daniel), three grandchildren: Xander Robin McDonald, Gannon Felix McDonald, and Solomon Jackson McDonald; 10 sisters and 1 brother: Jacqulyn Brandson (Robert), Barbara Carr (Eric), Geraldine Frazier, Doris Lewis, Emily Barnett, Shirley Neal (Michael), Billie Freeman (William), Andrew Barnett (Rose), Joyce Cameron (Wesley), Marque Collins (Cairo), Rahnye Craig (Willie), a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and many, many friends.

March 31, 2021:

10:00 am - 11:30 am, Homegoing service at Resthaven / Carr-Tenney Mortuary, 4310 E Southern Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85042

11:30 am - 12:30 pm, Procession with police escort to cemetery

12:30 pm - 1:00 pm, Graveside committal service at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 N Cave Creek Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85024

2:00 pm, Repast at DoubleTree Inn, 2100 S Priest, Tempe, AZ 85282