Vanita Lenore Haynes Craft Schnorrenberg of Kempner died on June 11, 2025 in Smithville. She was 93.
She was well known in the Kempner community, having been assistant postmaster and interim postmaster on occasion. She also served on an incorporation committee that formed to set in motion the process of official incorporation for the city of Kempner in 1997.
Services will be held at Lampasas Methodist Church on Aug. 1 at 1:30 p.m., with visitation to begin at 12:30 p.m.
Born April 25, 1932 in Sidney, Texas to John Henry and Willie Mae Haynes, Vanita Haynes graduated from Lampasas High School and later attended Howard Payne University in Brownwood.
She married Carl Russell “John” Craft on July 30, 1950. They had three children: Miggs Kramer (Tom), Andra Sparks and Bandy Craft. She also had five grandchildren – Ryan Meech (Gina), Adam Meech (Leslie), Clayton Sparks (Heather), Niki Kelly (Matt) and Kara Zimmerhanzel (Trey) – plus 11 greatgrandchildren and one great-great-grandson.
Later in life, she married Ira Harold “Kack” Schnorrenberg in July 1999.
That marriage brought a large extended family -- Kaye Daniel and five grandchildren, Natalie Berry (Dennis), Nicole LaRosa (Nicholas), Jessica Quintero (Pedro), Amber Zapata (Clint) and Caitlin Bannister (Chase), as well as 11 great-grandchildren.
Vanita was preceded in death by her husbands Carl Russell Craft and Ira Harold Schnorrenberg; stepson Mark Schnorrenberg; and stepson-in-law Randy Daniel.
She attended Jackson Business College in Lampasas and began her career outside the home. She worked for the Lampasas Auction Barn in the early 1960s. She later joined the United States Postal Service, where she worked for 30 years before retiring. She also worked with Walker & Walker Construction Co. and played a vital role in the creation of Kempner Water Supply Corp. She served on the KWSC board for numerous years and as board president.
On her 90th birthday, she was honored by the Kempner Volunteer Fire Department for her donation of property to be used for a new station, now known as the Craft Family Fire Station 3.
She was a member of Lampasas Methodist Church.
Donations in her name may be made to Lampasas Methodist Church or the Lampasas Animal Shelter.
