Sylvia Natalie (Betts) Craven

Sylvia Natalie Craven, a remarkable woman, mother and friend, passed away on September 28, 2018.

Sylvia was born in Asheboro, North Carolina on October 5, 1923 to the late Charles and Katherine Spencer Betts.  She was a long time resident of Virginia, but later moved to High Point to call it home.  Sylvia lived a wonderful life spanning five generations.  As a child, she witnessed the Great Depression, feeding hungry families with her mother on their doorstep.  During WWII, she helped build Avenger airplanes, working as “Rosie the Riveter”.  She always stepped up to do her part in any situation.  Sylvia had a great passion for the creative things in life, plus a tender heart for babies and the elderly.  When you didn’t find her caring for others, you could find her working in her beautiful vegetable and flower garden, cooking wonderful meals for her family and playing cards with friends.  She also had a real curiosity for learning, studying maps and places in the world, even if she knew she may never travel there.  At age 94, she still read the newspaper backwards and forwards and could tell you everything that was going on in our wonderful city.  Her real passion was her belief in Jesus Christ.  That faith was her guide through life.  She was a member of Emerywood Baptist Church.

With her late husband Don Wilford Briggs, she had three children, sons, Barry Donald Briggs and wife Judy of High Point and Paul Robert Briggs and wife Beatrice of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; and daughter, Donna Moose and husband Harold of High Point.  Also surviving are six grandchildren, Kissie Stroup and husband Chip of High Point, Kenny Stevens of High Point, Mary Samford and husband Glen of Irvine, California, Kim Jieafa and husband Jack of Miami, Florida, Kim Brafford and husband Rob of Jamestown, and Paige Gunther of Raleigh; nine great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; her sister, Emily Kemp of Raleigh; and her granddaughter-in-law, Monica Stevens.  In 1991, she married the late Arnold Craven of High Point with whom she shared many wonderful years.

A warm thank you is extended to all who welcomed Sylvia to High Point and called her friend.  The family would also like to express their appreciation to the entire staff of Pennybyrn at Maryfield and Hospice of the Piedmont for the loving care that was shown to Sylvia.  The family requests in lieu of flowers, memorials be directed to Pennybyrn at Maryfield, 109 Penny Rd, High Point, NC, 27260 or to Emerywood Baptist Church, 1300 Country Club Dr. High Point, NC, 27262.  A private family celebration will be held in her memory.

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