called home at the age of ninety-four on October 6th, 2021.
The only child of Lucy Flythe Knight and Murray Baxter Craven Sr., who knew
him as “Sonny”, “Papa” is lovingly remembered by his wife of sixty-nine
years, two children, six grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.
Having accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, he was a firm
believer of John 3:16, led his family in prayer and church involvement,
sang bass in the church choir for over 40 years, and served as Deacon
and Elder first at Westover Hills Presbyterian Church and later at Forest
Hill Church, where he was an active member for the last 57 years.
Born on February 10th, 1927, Murray grew up in Boone and Weldon
where he attended high school. Active in the Boy Scouts of America as
a Star Scout, he also played varsity baseball and basketball. Following
graduation in 1944 at the age of seventeen, Papa joined the US Naval
Air Force combat aircrew program and excelled at Naval Air Gunners
School in addition to mastering an Aviation Radioman program eleven
days before V-J Day. Honorably discharged on August 24th, 1946 after
serving aboard a PBY aircraft, he subsequently signed up for the eight-
year USNR program. Uniquely talented at sketching airplanes and
trains, Murray studied Advertising Arts at the National Art School and
received his diploma early by attending continuously.
Hired by the Ayer and Gillette Advertising Agency in Charlotte, he met
Roberta Christine Baucom and three years later, they were married at
Pritchard Memorial Baptist Church on April 19th, 1952. Together, they
designed and nurtured their home of 65 years. Papa called her, “The
most wonderful wife and mom in the world.” He was a partner at
Shotwell Craven and Varner, and after thirty-one years in advertising,
Papa accepted another position working with the Corporate
Communications Division at Duke Power fourteen more years before
retirement. However, his most important projects were the candles he
drew on his hand made birthday cards made individually for his family.
Murray especially took joy in his family and enjoyed his neighbors as
well. He was active for many years in the local Boy Scouts Council and
at Central Piedmont Community College in Graphic Design. For get-
togethers, making sweet tea was his responsibility, and he would thrill
most family members by using his fingers to snuff out his own birthday
candles to the enthusiastic cheering of his grandchildren. He is lovingly
remembered for his gentle spirit, keen and uplifting sense of humor, and
dedication to others.
He will be laid to rest alongside his parents and uncle at Hopewell
Presbyterian Church in Huntersville, NC. Celebrating his devoted life
are his beloved wife Roberta, Bill and Susan Craven Kincaid of
Waxhaw; Elaine and Murray Baxter Craven III, MD of Charlotte; his
grandchildren Will and Amy Kincaid of St. Augustine, Fla; John and
Elliott Kincaid of Charleston, SC; Christopher and Christine Craven
Widman of Raleigh, Murray Baxter Craven IV of Arlington, VA, James
and Kristina Craven of Charlotte, and Daniel Craven of Arlington,VA;
and his great-grandchildren Palmer Kincaid, Charlotte Widman, Grant
Widman, Aidan Widman, Carter Murray Widman, and Kennedy Craven.
A Service to celebrate his life will be held at Forest Hill Church in
Charlotte at 12 Noon on Tuesday October 12, 2021. Due to the
pandemic, masks are required and a reception will be scheduled at a later date.
Condolences may be offered at www.McEwenPinevilleChapel.com.
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