By Mary O’KEEFE

On Saturday the community gathered to pay their respects to a community icon known as Rev. Bev – the Reverend Beverly Craig who received an honorary doctorate of divinity.  

Name an organization within the community and Rev. Bev was either part of it or supported it. She led the congregation for decades at the Center for Spiritual Living – La Crescenta on Dunsmore Avenue. While at the Center she hosted various gatherings and outreach events including the Day of Healing/Metaphysical and Artisan Fair and she led grief counseling. She was the founder of the local Clergy Council, which had spiritual leaders from the community work together to support the LA County Sheriff’s Dept. -Crescenta Valley Station. A Clergy Council member would be called if someone was in need who had been a victim of a crime or a tragedy. 

She could often be found in a local donut shop talking to those who just needed someone to listen to them. 

Rev. Bev was a strong supporter of organizations like Prom Plus and Prom Plus Club whose members often volunteered for Rev. Bev and the Center. One of the most popular events at the Center was Cowboy Church. 

Rev. Bev was raised in Nebraska and she loved “country and western” music. For over 15 years the Center hosted this fun dance and barbecue, led by Rev. Bev as a way to celebrate the Fourth of July. To Rev. Bev the idea of the American cowboy brought images of God and country and she thought there was no better way to celebrate Independence Day weekend than with the special service.

Performers like Skeeter Mann and The Lost Canyon Rangers and Karen Mitchell and the CC Wranglers entertained the congregation over the years with cowboy music singing titles like “Nobody Kisses Their Horse Anymore.”

She was also a longtime member of the CV Chamber of Commerce. 

Rev. Bev passed away on Nov. 7, 2024 after a long illness. The memorial gave people who cared for her a way to share stories and to say goodbye.