Mary Beth Craven

1941-2023

Mary “Mary Beth” Elizabeth (Adams) Craven died November 24, in Dallas, Texas after living a beautiful, compassionate, curious, and joyful life. Born on August 25, 1941 to Erma E. “Betty” Kennedy and Hugh J. Adams, Mary Beth had an idyllic childhood growing up in her beloved hometown of Guthrie, Okla. with her two brothers, Gary and Buck.

Mary Beth graduated from Guthrie High School, where she was involved in theater and Rainbow Girls. She went on to attend Cottey College before graduating from University of Oklahoma where she was a proud member of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority. Shortly thereafter, Mary Beth went to live in New York City for two years, doing medical research for the Rockefeller Institute and nurturing her love of the arts.

Shortly after moving back, she was set up on a blind date with a “tall, handsome guy” named Stephen. He proposed six weeks later, and she eventually said “yes” at an Ike and Tina Turner concert! They were married on November 12, 1966, building a life together full of laughter, love and living for the day! Steve’s work as an account executive for Brown Shoe Company took the couple and their two young daughters, Courtney and Sara, to various homes across the country, including Wisconsin, Kansas City, New Orleans, Denver, Wyoming and Washington state.

During this time, Mary Beth followed in her mother’s social work footsteps, pursuing her master’s degree and working in various jobs including child protection, juvenile detention, and teaching. Whether as a parole officer or PTA president, Mary Beth loved helping people! She had the gift for making friends wherever she went and could learn anyone’s life story in the grocery line.

Mary Beth was always up for an adventure and had many interests including gardening (she was a Master Gardener), puppeteering, antiques, books, P.E.O., OU football, and their many dogs. She and Stephen loved to entertain and spent a lot of time with their grandchildren Hal and Anna, who lived in Washington.

When she and Stephen returned to Guthrie after his retirement, they bought her family’s historic home. She became well-known in town through her work on various boards including the State Capital Publishing Museum and the Pollard Theatre. Her pride and joy was writing her column “Out and About” for the Guthrie Daily Leader.

Most recently Mary Beth and Stephen moved to Dallas to be closer to their younger daughter, Sara, who took loving care of them and adopted their dogs. Stephen died on March 17, 2023. All who knew Mary Beth will remember her as a friendly, carefree, adventurous lover of life.

Mary Beth is survived by her daughters, Sara Craven of Dallas; Courtney (Craven) Schrieve and husband Garin, Olympia, WA; grandchildren Hal and Anna Schrieve; brother Buck Adams and wife Sharon Adams; nephew Chad Adams and family; cousins Ann Adams, Becky Roman, John Gardner, Deb Gardner and Julie West; sisterin- law Nan Sweetman and husband Mick, and nieces Carla Kenney and Kirsten Handler and their families.

This beautiful, vivacious woman will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. The family also wants to recognize all her amazing caregivers at Monticello West and Sage Oak/Norway House in Dallas. Donations in her memory can be made to the Guthrie Animal Shelter or the NAACP.

Published in the Guthrie News Leader - December 20, 2023