Julia Graves

Julia “Sister” Graves was born to the union of Mason and Ruby Reed Graves on May 21, 1933 in Brownsville, Tennessee. Julia was the third of nine siblings born to that union. She is proceeded in death by both parents and four brother: James Doris Graves, Harold Graves, Bobby Reed Graves, and Charles Alvin Graves. Julia was educated in Haywood County Tennessee School System, graduating from Carver High School in 1952. Upon graduation, she moved to Detroit, Michigan, where she worked until relocating to St. Louis, Missouri in 1956. Having already accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior, she joined Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church. Later, she became a member of City of Hope Church under the leadership of Pastor Al Palmer. Julia was a career healthcare provider for over thirty years, beginning her work with Transfiguration Lutheran Church, until her retirement from Cardinal Ritter Institute. A genuinely humble woman, this field further enhanced her remarkably compassionate and warm personality and nurturing character often making everyone she met feel as if they were the only person in the world. As a strong-willed single mother of five, Julia worked tirelessly to improve her quality of life and that of her children; stressing higher education, diligent work ethics and high moral character in her children, as well as her surrogate children, be they her own brothers and sisters or others. Julia encouraged and motivated everyone she encountered with heartfelt selflessness and became a mother to all, friends and family alike. Julia leaves to cherish her memory: five children, Lawrence Charles Graves (Velinda), Ruby Teresa Graves-Smith (Willie), Gerald Graves (Angela), Garland Graves( Kazuko), Michael Duane Graves; one brother, Ivory Frank Graves (Leatrice); three sisters, Carolyn Pulliam (Dan), Marian Walls (Harry), Bertha Annette Zachary (Glenn); three sisters-in-law, Ethel Graves (Harold), Agnes Graves (James), Charlene Graves (Charles); sixteen grandchildren, twenty great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and nephews, cousins, family and friends near and far.