Craven, John Ridley

World War II Veteran Worked At Chattanooga Funeral Home Over 50 Years

  • Wednesday, October 5, 2016
John Craven
John Craven

John Ridley Craven, 94, of Chattanooga, died on Wednesday, October 5, 2016.

Ridley was born in McMinnville, Tn., then moved to Whitwell at an early age and was a 1940 graduate of Whitwell High School.  John served our country in the United States Army, during World War II.  John was a graduate of John A Gupton College of Mortuary Science in Nashville.  John was employed with Chattanooga Funeral Home for over 50 years and was the manager of the North Chapel in Hixson for over 25 years.  He was a member of the Dahlia Society where he won many awards for his flowers.  Ridley was a 70-year member of the Whitwell Masonic Lodge.  John was a member of First Cumberland Presbyterian Church and the Chattanooga Half Century Club. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Reverend William Hacket Craven and Ethel Moulder Craven; and six brothers.

John is survived by his wife of 55 years, Viva Condra Craven; son, Greg (Michele); and grandchildren, Cassidy Craven, Kyle and Zachery Akins.

The family would like to say a special thank you to Dr. Glen Newman and his staff for great care they gave John.

The family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 6, at the East Brainerd Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home.

A celebration of life service for John will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, at the funeral home chapel, with Reverend Lanny Johnson and Dr. Courtney Krueger officiating. 

Burial and graveside services will be held at 2 p.m., in Condra Cemetery, Whitwell. 

Arrangements are by the East Brainerd Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 8214 East Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421.  

Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanoogaeastbrainerdchapel.com.

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