of Batesville, AR
October 23, 1971 - August 22, 2020
Dena Brannon Crafton, 48, of Batesville passed away on Saturday, August 22, 2020.
She was born October 23, 1971 in Batesville, Arkansas to William C. Brannon and Connie Kay (Rider) Brannon.
Dena was a member of Faith Hopewell Cumberland Presbyterian Church where she also served as an Elder and taught Sunday School. She was protective and devoted to her family; she was a loving, caring, and amazing mother; she was extremely passionate about her children and loved spending time with them as well as attending all of their events. Dena was a graduate of Lynn High Schools Class of 1990; she worked at Future Fuel as a Senior Inventory Technologist for over 20 years. She was an avid reader, enjoyed playing and watching sports, and loved the Razorbacks and Yankees.
She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Talmage Brannon and Angie (Casper) Brannon and her maternal grandparents, Zeek Rider and Wilma (Sanders) Rider.
Survivors include her husband of 20 years, Randall Crafton and their two sons, Rhett Crafton and Reed Crafton of the home; her parents, William and Connie Brannon of Lynn; two sisters, Lisa Smith of Jonesboro and Kara Britton (Rob) of Lynn; her parents-in-law, Harold and Connie Crafton of Batesville; sister-in-law Sonya Gaither (Shayne) of Batesville; her aunt, Helen Lovan; one niece, Paige Britton; two nephews, Carson Britton and Trevor Jines; and several other relatives and friends.
Pallbearers will be Shayne Gaither, James Bray, Barry Bray, Lynn Cornelius, Jamie Edwards and Reese Forse. Honorary Pallbearers will be the Elders of Faith Hopewell Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
Visitation will be held from 5:00-8:00 pm Tuesday, August 25, 2020 at the funeral home.
Funeral services will begin at 10:00 am Wednesday, August 26, 2020 at Faith Hopewell Cumberland Church under the direction of Roller-Crouch Funeral Home with Alan Meinzer and Rian Puckett officiating. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery of Batesville.
Memorials may be made in her honor to Faith Hopewell Cumberland Presbyterian Womens Ministry, 3895 Harrison Street, Batesville, AR 72501 or Susan G. Komen Foundation, 904 Autumn Road, Suite 500, Little Rock, AR 72211.
We are complying with the Arkansas Department of Health guidelines and limiting indoor funeral and visitation attendance to 50 people at one time. All attendees must provide and wear their own masks before entering and social distancing will be observed.
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22 Condolence(s)
Maryletha Manley
Wednesday, August 26, 2020
I loved Dena’s sweet spirit!
Sandy (Harris) Howard
Tuesday, August 25, 2020
I was so saddened to hear of Dena’s passing. Dena & I were classmates in the Lynn High School class of 1990. She was smart, beautiful, funny, & a joy to be around. My deepest sympathies to the family. Praying for God’s comfort & peace to you in your time of sorrow.
Glenda Madsen
Tuesday, August 25, 2020
With deepest sympathy on the loss of your wife.
Zelda Epperson May
Tuesday, August 25, 2020
Randall and boys,
I am so sorry for your loss. Dena has been my friend for many many years. She was full of laughter and kindness. She loved her family and was so proud of her boys. She talked about Rhett and Reed all of the time. Although we haven’t been as close as we once were, I will miss her terribly. Heaven has received a wonderful angel. Please accept my sympathy and know that I am praying for your family.
Jason Mans
Tuesday, August 25, 2020
Very sorry to hear of Dena’s passing. I had lost touch with her since high school but I do remember how helpful she was to me and others in our class when any of us needed it. I’m sure she will be missed by all who knew her well. Rest In Peace
Judy Ferrell
Tuesday, August 25, 2020
I want to express my sympathy to Dena's family, I am so very sorry. I got to know her when she worked in the lab at FutureFuel, she was such a joy, and was always smiling. I know she treasured her children and was extremely proud of having them. What a wonderful and faithful servant of God. May God wrap you all in his loving arms and send you peace and grace.
Respectfully,
Judy Ferrell
Linda Head
Tuesday, August 25, 2020
It was an honor to know Dena and to be counted as one of her friends. She truly blessed me with her kindness and warm heart! I will miss her on this earth. Until we meet again in Heaven! My prayers go out to her family and friends for comfort during their time of grief.
Betty Gaitherl
Tuesday, August 25, 2020
So sorry to hear about Dena you will be in our prayers. Will not be at the service because of covid. From all my family. Betty, Jim, Pam and family, Sherry and family. Love you
Sue Tirner
Tuesday, August 25, 2020
It was a privilege to worship and serve in the church along beside Dena. She had a passion for serving our children and did it well. Her love of God was always present and very visible. Dena will be sorely missed by so many in so many places but none so severely as in her family. Dena’s influence and legacy will live on forever. She was a lady of great love, honesty, integrity, generosity and an all around class act. No matter how painful her absence from Earth becomes we can all take comfort in knowing that at this very moment she is at home with her Master and is residing in glory! Praise God for sharing this angel with all of us. My prayers are for this family to find healing and peace.
With love and abundant sympathy,
Herald, Sue, Kayden
Angie Herrington
Monday, August 24, 2020
Randall and boys, I am so sorry for the loss of your wife and mother. May she Rest In Peace. Prayers for your family.
Jacqui McSpadden
Monday, August 24, 2020
Sonya, I am so sorry for your family’s loss! May you take comfort in knowing Dena is now pain free. My thoughts and prayers are with all of your family in the days and weeks to come.
Jeannie
Monday, August 24, 2020
My heart is broken for her family. What a beautiful and kind woman. She will be missed.
Chris Schmitt
Monday, August 24, 2020
Dena was an amazing colleague at FutureFuel. I am so sorry for your loss. We are all praying for Dena and your family.
Shannon Franks Ladd
Monday, August 24, 2020
Dena was such a special person. We didn't talk often after I moved away, but she was a very important friend to me for a long time. Her sweet nature and honest, Godly advice were such a blessing to me.
I love you Dena.
Shannon
JERRY MEINZER
Monday, August 24, 2020
KEEPING EVERYONE IN OUR PRAYERS..JERRY AND PAM
Rose Sparks
Monday, August 24, 2020
Randall, Rhett, Reed, and all the family are in our prayers.
Dena will forever be in our hearts at FutureFuel. We had the honor of her determined, hard-working, kindhearted spirit. We enjoyed so much working with her and hearing of the stories of Rhett, Reed, and Randall; she was so proud of her family and excelled at everything she did for us. She had a joy that beamed, even when things got tough. On her office walls were written:
"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, the second best time is now. "
"Though they stumble, they will never fall for the Lord holds them by the hand." Psalm 37:24. Citizens of heaven residing on earth.
"Fear not, for I AM with you; be not dismayed, for I AM your God. " Isaiah 41:10
She would say, "thank you for your thoughts and prayers, keep them coming", her strength was miraculous. We learned so much from sweet Dena, we will miss her terribly.
Felissa vaccari
Monday, August 24, 2020
So sorry for your loss, she is in heaven now painless
Harriet Ballow
Monday, August 24, 2020
Randall, Rhett, and Reed,
So sorry for you loss. I will be remembering you all in my prayers.
Harriet
Mark and Ashley Cook
Monday, August 24, 2020
Randall, Rhett and Reed,
Our hearts hurt for you. The word "protective" is a perfect description of her and her love for you all. We will miss her dearly although I know not near as much as you will.
Praying for you all.
Mark, Ashley, Tex and Sawyer
Mandy Durham
Monday, August 24, 2020
So sorry for your loss. I have not been around Dena much since graduating high school, but she was always a friend to me. We had some good times growing up. She will be missed. Prayers for the family.
Judy Young
Monday, August 24, 2020
William ,Connie and family
so sorry to hear about Dena.
I remember how sweet she was when she was riding horses with us. I still have the sweet letter she wrote us and thanking us for helping her. She was a beautiful soul and God gained a very special angel.
Sending our prayers and hugs to the family.
Love Judy & Larry Young
Alan Vickery
Monday, August 24, 2020
In our thoughts and prayers,
Phyllis, Alan, Paige, & Andrew Vickery