Sue (Cravens) Stivers

Sue Cravens Stivers, 86, of Columbia, KY died Monday, August 1, 2022 at the Signature Health in Columbia, KY.  She was born on June 8, 1936 in the Webbs Cross Roads Community of Russell County, KY to the late Jason Everett and Zellah Cunningham Cravens.

Ms. Stivers attended Campbellsville College and then received her Bachelors Degree from the University of Kentucky and Masters Degree from George Washington University. For 43 years Ms. Stivers had a successful career with the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service, College of Agriculture as a County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences. In 1957, she became the first ever Extension Agent in Cumberland County, Kentucky. She continued her career joining the Adair County Extension Office in 1966. For the next 34 years she worked tirelessly serving Columbia-Adair County. During her years of employment, she received numerous professional awards at the local, state, and national level.

Throughout her life, Ms. Stivers was extremely active in her church, community, and professional organizations. She was a long-time member of Columbia Baptist Church serving as a Sunday School Teacher for high school students and retired women. She was the founder of the Miss Lake Cumberland Scholarship Pageant (a preliminary to the Miss Kentucky and Miss American Pageant), where she served as Executive Director for 24 years. She was the first recipient of the “Outstanding Woman of the Year” given by the Jaycees and named the “Outstanding Volunteer” in Adair County by the Chamber of Commerce.

After retirement with the Extension Service, Ms. Stivers continued to dedicate her life to her community, serving as the Executive Director of the Adair County Chamber of Commerce, the Adair County Tourism Commission Director, and the Economic Development Authority Director. She was very active with Lindsey Wilson College and served on the Board of Trustees from 1992 to present. At LWC she was named an Honorary Alumna and awarded with an Honorary Doctorate Degree. She remained active with her alma mater and was named to the University of Kentucky Hall of Fame.

Ms. Stivers enjoyed time spent with the Adair County Homemakers, the Daughters of the American Revolution, Relay for Life, and the Order of the Eastern Star.

Survivors include her nieces and nephews Susan Peck (John) and Melissa Giles (Dr. Chuck) both of Columbia, KY, Robin Sue Mercer of Athens, GA, Melanie Brannon of Augusta, GA, Richard Scott Cravens of Columbus, GA and Dean Andrews of Panama City, FL; brothers-in-law Eldridge Richards of Jamestown, KY and Morris Andrews of Royston, GA; several great nieces and nephews and other friends and relatives.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two sisters Edith Mazelle Andrews and Elizabeth Ann Richards and three brothers Lt. Col. James O. Cravens, Adrian O. Cravens and Leland V. Cravens.

Funeral services will be 5:00pm Friday, August 5, 2022 at Stotts-Phelps-McQueary Funeral Home with burial in the Poplar Grove Cemetery in Russell County, KY.  Visitation will be on Friday from 1:00pm-5:00pm at Stotts-Phelps-McQueary Funeral Home.

Family members will serve as pallbearers, with honorary pallbearers being Deacons from Columbia Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Sue Cravens Stivers Endowment Fund at Lindsey Wilson College, Poplar Grove Cemetery Fund @ 4562 West Hwy 76, Russell Springs, KY 42642 , or the Columbia Baptist Church and can be left at the funeral home.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Sue (Cravens) Stivers, please visit our floral store.