Ernest Richard Cravey, 74, of Tifton passed away Wednesday, September 29, 2021, at his residence. His funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., October 4, 2021, in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals with the Rev. Kenny Kicklighter officiating. Mr. Cravey will be laid to rest at Tift Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends on Sunday, October 3, 2021, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals.
Born November 30, 1946, in Moultrie, Georgia, Mr. Cravey was the son of the late Guy Cravey and Evelyn Findley Cravey. He was also preceded in death by three brothers, Trummie C. Cravey, Russell Cravey and G. W. Cravey; and six sisters, Katy Weeks, Opal Weeks, Faithy Willis, Lucille Rayburn, Betty Holloway and Bertha Nasworthy. Before retiring, he worked for the University of Georgia Experiment Station and he was a member of Army National Guard and the American Legion. He was a former deacon at Second Baptist Church in Tifton and a current member of Northside Baptist Church in Tifton. He was a boy scout in his younger years. Mr. Cravey was a classic car enthusiast his whole life. He attended every Swap Meet since it started in Nashville, Georgia and then moved to Spence Field in Moultrie, where he had the same booth for over 25 years. At the Swap Meet, he was known as the “Pecan Man”.
Mr. Cravey is survived by one daughter, his pride and joy, Lain Pitts of Tifton and her husband, David Pitts; one grandchild, Chandler Pitts; and one sister, Estelle Perry of Claxton. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, two whom he was especially close with, Duane Weeks and Guy Cravey; and many honorary grandsons.