Nelda Jean (Cravens) Gosser

Nelda Jean (Cravens) Gosser age 79 of Russell Springs Kentucky left this earthly life on October 8, 2024, at home surrounded by her family.

Jean was a Russell County Kentucky native with deep ancestral roots to Russell and Adair County. She was born at home January 20th 1945. She was the surprise “change of life baby” born to the late Beatrice Vivian (Grider) Cravens and Warren Cravens.

She was preceded in death by her husband James Thomas “Jimmy” Gosser and an infant son James T. Gosser Jr.

Survivors include: Tammy Jo Hill (David) of Jamestown KY, Thomas Duane Gosser (Donna Jo) of Paris, KY, Jamie Lee Gosser (Amber) of Nancy KY. 3 grand-daughters; Amanda Nicole Hill of Frankfort KY, Anna Lillian Gosser of Paris KY, and Emma Rose Gosser of Asheville, North Carolina and a host of other nephews, nieces, cousins and dear friends.

She confessed Christ as her Lord and Savior as a young girl of 11-12, and in her later years was a member of the old Providence Baptist Church in Adair County. Jean loved and even more now, LOVES Jesus and held fast to his Word.

Jean was raised on a small family farm without indoor plumbing and electricity. When electricity came to Russell County, the barn received it first. She was well acquainted of the hardships of being self-sufficient if you wanted to eat. Raising gardens that were plowed by the mules, butchering hogs and rendering the lard, this was just life and you didn’t waste anything. It was Biblical; you earn your bread by the sweat of your brow.

Jean loved to garden, do outdoor work and labor in her flower beds. She was a lover of books and learning and passed this passion to her children. She was an avid seed saver to have what one wanted for next year if God was willing. She didn’t want to depend on others for her sustenance. Mom was a very proud and determined woman; she loved to give but never wanted any handouts. If you didn’t have something you just made do. She was humble, gracious and her steadfastness was always a source of strength to her family and friends and her arms were always full of love. She was a wonderful mother who always made her children feel special and loved in countless ways.

Mom always pointed the Way, her motto was to take care of each other and keep God first. She had high standards, there is right and wrong and no middle ground. Walk the line and its best done holding God’s hand, if you fall get back up and get on track.   Jeremiah 6:16 Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.  God has richly blessed our family, we can confidently say that our family circle is unbroken, it is wholly intact for all eternity and that is a peace that only the Author and Finisher of our faith can provide.

Mom would tell you to seek Jesus if you don’t know him as your Redeeming Savior. She had no problem with her last days at UK, tenderly  directing her ICU nurses to do this, so if you don’t know where you will be in eternity once you take your last breath, get on your knees and ask God to reveal your lost state(He will do it.), admit you are a sinner and need a Savior and believe the Lord Jesus Christ died for your sins and was raised from the dead  thus conquering death and that we too will be raised to life to live for eternity with our Creator.

Though our hearts are heavy with the loss of Mom, we do not grieve as those with no hope. Instead we are seeing that the longer we live the sweeter heaven becomes. It’s going to be a glorious homecoming with family and friends. The lights are getting brighter on the other shore. And we know that when Jesus calls, He will have made room for one more.

Funeral services are 10:00 AM CST, Saturday, October 12, 2024, at Bernard Funeral Home, with Bro. Daniel Keaton and Bro. Rick Neff officiating.  Burial will follow in Bethlehem Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5:00 to 8:00 PM CST, Friday evening at the funeral home, and resuming Saturday at 8:00AM until the time of services.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Jean's memory to Hospice of Lake Cumberland, 100 Parkway Drive, Somerset, KY 42503.  Donations can also be left at the funeral home.

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