Craven Lee Register

Craven Lee Register, 88, of 1040 Williamson Rd, Clinton, passed away at Rex Hospital on Monday, December 5, 2022. 

Funeral Services will be held Thursday, December 8th at 3:00 pm at Mt. Gilead Baptist Church with Rev. Jeffery Barber and Dr. Lynn Bullock officiating. Entombment will be in the church cemetery following the service. Visitation with family and friends will be held prior to the service, from 1:00 pm-2:45 pm, in the church fellowship hall, and other times at his home.

Born June 8, 1934 in Sampson County,  Craven was the son of the late Cecil Ingram and Lola Tew Register. On the morning of his birth, his dad told his brother Hallie that they would have to give Craven half of the 45 goats they owned. His parents and their children were a family that farmed together. Days started before sunrise and, if time allowed, a swim in the creek after lunch was a treat, before going back to work until suppertime. Sunday afternoon entertainment was riding the mules or in the cart pulled by a billy goat. At age 16, he had to quit school and take over running the family farm because of his dad's poor health. However, Craven returned to high school and graduated in 1956. He then married his classmate, Eleanor Glenn Batts, in July of 1956, and kept on farming. They were blessed with three children that, as they grew up, continued to farm right along beside him. After Eleanor's passing, Craven met and married Eloise Sholar Carter, and he continued to farm.  

Craven was rooted in farming, as he farmed his family farm his entire adult life. The family farm was documented back to 1820 and was registered with the State of North Carolina as a “Century Farm”. The farm continues to grow row crops, hay, cattle and hogs. Craven was honored as the Lancaster Sunbelt Farmer of the Year for North Carolina in 2002, served as President of the North Carolina Gelbvieh Association from 2007 to 2009, and served on the Board of Directors for Sampson County Farm Bureau for 37 years and a member of Mt. Gilead Baptist Church.  Although Craven loved farming, he also enjoyed auto racing, showing horses and loved football, especially the Greenbay Packers! He was known for his signature big grin and also known for his big heart, full of love for his family and friends. He will be missed by everyone who knew him, because to know him, was to love him.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Eleanor Batts Register, son, C.L. Register, six sisters: Sybil Smith, Parnell Matthis, Zeanie Bell Matthis, Theola Stewart, Mae Eleanor Sullivan and Willa Crea Warren; and two brothers: Haywood Register and Hallie Register.

He leaves behind his wife, Eloise S. Register, one daughter, Lynn R. Daughtry of Clinton; son, Carlton Register of Clinton; sister, Mozzelle Jones Hope of Clinton, brother-in-law, Bobby Warren of Clinton, stepdaughter, Teresa Carter (Richard Yarborough) of Wallace; stepson, Wade Carter (Janice) of Wallace; two grandchildren: Glenn Register (Keri) and Sharla Richardson; four step-grandchildren: Jeremy Carter (Katie), Kyle Carter (Katelyn), Bo Dixon and Sam Dixon; step great-grandson, Thane Carter.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mt. Gilead Baptist Church, 3949 Taylors Bridge Hwy, Clinton, NC 28328, or to one’s favorite charity. 

Royal-Hall Funeral Home is honored to serve the Register family. 

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