Liana Craven, age 37, a resident of Scott County, Kentucky, passed away on April 23, 2022, in Lexington, Kentucky. She was born in Louisville, Kentucky on February 12, 1985, five minutes after her identical twin sister, Melissa.
Liana was baptized into Christ at St. Raphael Catholic Church in Louisville, and a member of St. Edward Catholic Church in Cynthiana where she took her First Communion and later Confirmation. She was a graduate of St. Edward School (1999) and Harrison County High School (2003) where – true to her nature of someone with an ever-present sense of humor – she was recognized in the yearbook as the “Class Clown.” Liana worked at Food Lion in Cynthiana as well as the BP/Valero service station, in addition to employment in other communities. She was universally known by all her employers to the end of her days as a dedicated, hard, and conscientious worker. Liana and her sister Melissa have been long-time contributors to the science of twins and multiples at the University of Louisville Twin Study from birth till 18 years of age.
Liana left a gift of inspiration for others that will carry on beyond the end of her Earthly life. She loved Richard Risner, her partner of 21 years. When she entered Hospice care in her final days Liana determined that she would spend those day living and not dying. On her bucket list she noted that she wanted to get married, and on March 30th just that happened in a surprise and full wedding that was brought together in one day by family and friends. This so caught the attention of others that WKYT-27 News in Lexington featured Liana and her impromptu wedding in two news segments and with an article. You can watch/read it here: https://www.wkyt.com/2022/04/20/ky-hospice-patient-marries-high-school-sweetheart/
Liana is survived by her husband, Richard Risner; her sister, Melissa Gail Craven, of Scott County; her mother, Gail Gahafer Parker of Scott County; her father, Allan Lee Craven (Thuy), of Lexington, KY; her step-father, Dennis Dio Parker (Dana), of New Smyrna Beach, FL; her step-mother, Sharon K. Sallee, of Indiana; her brother, Jason Craven (Jessica) of Louisville, KY; her sister, Heather Craven (Brandon) of Georgetown, KY; her sister, Hannah Parker Geneve (Tim) of Georgetown; her step-sister, Laura Sizemore (Phillip), of Texas; her step-sister, Debra Pasley Barnes (Randy), of Winchester; step-brother, Larry Pasley, of Georgia; her step-sister, Rachael Parker Davis (Aaron) of Louisville, KY; her step-sister, Sarah Parker Roland (David) of Louisville; her step-brother, Josh Bastin (Rachael) of Cincinnati, OH; her step-brother, Caleb Bastin of New Smyrna Beach; and her step-sister, Emily Bastin of Falmouth, KY; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Liana was preceded in death by her brother, Devin Lee Craven.
The funeral service will be at 11:00 AM on Saturday, April 30, 2022, at St. Edward Catholic Church, 107 N Walnut St., Cynthiana, KY 41031. Officiating the service will be Father Niby Kannai and Deacon Leo James Gahafer. Visitation will be held on Friday, April 29 from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM at Ware Funeral Home, 910 US 27 N, Cynthiana, KY, a second visitation will be held on Saturday, April 30, 2022, at Ware Funeral Home from 9:30 AM-10:30 AM. Burial will be at Battle Grove Cemetery. Motorcyclists are encouraged to participate in the funeral processional; if you wish to participate, please park with the other motorcycles in the parking lot.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Bluegrass Hospice Care at https://www.bgcarenav.org/give; they were angels at the end of Liana’s life. Contributions may also be made to the Florence Shropshire Animal Shelter, 1751 New Lair Road, Cynthiana, KY 41031. Liana’s family extends sincere thanks to you for your contribution.
Active Pallbearers will be Benjamin Brewer Sr., Benjamin Brewer Jr., Bradley Brewer, Jason Craven, Benjamin Craven, Dennis Dio Parker, and Richard Risner. Honorary pallbearer will be Allan Lee Craven.
Immediately following the burial service, a bereavement potluck will be held in the shelter at Veterans Park, 364 Oddville Ave., Cynthiana, KY 41031. Please join us and if possible, bring a dish to share.
View and sign the guest book at www.warefuneralhome.com.