Mary Winona Craven Gage, 82, passed away January 21, 2009. She was born September 21, 1926 in Bogota, Texas in Red River County to Mary Taff Craven and Sam H. Craven. Winona passed away peacefully at the home of her daughter Helen Buttrill and husband Greg in Boerne, Texas after a courageous battle with cancer.

Winona was one year old when she came to San Saba County in a covered wagon with her parents, an older sister, and three older brothers. They settled in the Live Oak Community where she attended grade school. She graduated from San Saba High School in 1945 and then was hired by Supt. Campbell as High School Secretary.

Winona and Lloyd Clem Gage were married in 1947 in San Saba. After living a few years in Killeen and Falfurrias, they made their home in San Antonio. To this union four daughters were born. She worked at Cloth World, an insurance company, and retired from Bank Plus Mortgage Co. Winona was an active member of St. Marks United Methodist Church.

Winona and Lloyd celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary on June 21, 1997 with a renewal of their wedding vows. The Rev. Kent Knard officiated. A reception and dinner followed at the Doubletree Hotel in San Antonio.

Winona is survived by her daughters, Helen Gage Buttrill and husband Greg; Suzanne Gage Burke and husband, Jon; Sandra Gage Summers and husband Doug; grandchildren, Lacretia Bachhofen Miller and husband, Scott; Chad Bachhofen and wife Lisa and Seth Wheaton; great-grandchildren, Jacob and Kyle Miller and Kaylee Bachhofen and sister, Ann Bearden, San Saba. Winona will always be remembered as a very generous, gracious and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who cared very deeply for her family.

Winona was preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd Clem Gage in 1999; her daughter, Nancy Abigail Gage Truitt in 1982; parents, Sam and Mary Craven; and three brothers, George Craven, Sammie Craven and Nellum Leon Craven.

Visitation was 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. Sunday, January 25th at Mission Park Funeral Chapel North. Funeral services 3:00 p.m. Monday, January 26th, 2009 at Mission Park Funeral Chapel North, with interment at Mission Burial Park North. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to START THE CENTER for CANCER CURE, (210-593-5700) in her memory.