Charles Ray Craven

Funeral services for Charles Ray Craven, 81, of Zavalla will be held Saturday, August 30, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel in Lufkin with Brother Curtis Herrington officiating. Cremation will follow under the direction of Carroway Funeral Home.

Mr. Craven was born November 26, 1943 in Zavalla, Texas to the late Viera (Dyson) and Willie L. Craven, and died Sunday, August 24, 2025 in a local hospital.

Mr. Craven owned and operated Craven Logging for more than 48 years. He was a good friend to many and enjoyed his mornings at the local café sitting at the “table of knowledge”, where he built friendships that spanned many years. He loved speed, racing cars, and Peterbilt trucks, and wouldn’t buy anything other than Chevys. Most of all Mr. Craven valued the time spent with his family. He dearly loved them, especially his grandchildren. Mr. Craven was a member of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Colmesneil.

Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Janice (Rhodes) Craven of Zavalla; daughters and sons-in-law, Emily and Richard Meisel of Hudson, and Julie and Jacob Phillips of Colmesneil; grandsons, Mason and wife Claire O’Quinn of Lubbock, Connor O’Quinn of Iron Mountain, Michigan, and Andrew Phillips of Colmesneil; granddaughter, Reagan Meisel of Hudson; sisters, Yvonne Hornsby and Fran Barnes, both of Lufkin; and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Curtis Craven; and sisters, Dorris Stark, Eloise Walters, and Georgia Craven.

Honorary pallbearers will be Mason O’Quinn, Connor O’Quinn, Andrew Phillips, Mark Rhodes, Jacob Phillips, and Richard Meisel.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Saturday morning prior to the services.

Memories and condolences may be added, and live webcasting of the services may be viewed, at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.