John Graves

WILSON - John Graves, 88, died Monday January 5, 2009. Mr. Graves was a son of the late William Williams and Gladys Wells Graves of Wilson County. He was also preceded in death by siblings, Bill Graves, Tom Graves, Frank Graves, George Graves and Elizabeth Graves Perkinson. He graduated from Charles L. Coon High School in 1939 and enrolled in Duke University. World War II came and he was drafted into the Army and worked his way up from private to the rank of Captain. To his death he remained a patriotic American. Upon returning to Wilson after the war, he went to the family farm and worked for 51 years and managed the farm interest of his family. John appreciated being able to continue the tradition of farming the land that had been in the family since receiving a land grant from the King of England in the 1700s. He enjoyed serving on the Board of BB&T for 32 years and on the board of Emma Anderson Memorial Chapel at Topsail Beach. Funeral, Thursday, 2:00 PM, First United Methodist Church. Interment, Maplewood Cemetery. Surviving is his wife, Elizabeth "Betsy" Farmer Graves whom he married in 1957: their children, Leslie Ann Graves, John Graves, Jr, who died in 1999, Loyd Wells Graves, Elizabeth "Beth" Farmer Graves, Jane Graves Hardesty. All of the children graduated from Duke University. In addition to the children are eight grandchildren. Beyond his love for his family and farming, John very much enjoyed attending Duke basketball and football games. He also loved Topsail Beach and the time spent there with family and friends. The family will be at Wilson Memorial Service, Wednesday, 7-9 PM. Memorials are suggested to First United Methodist Church, PO Box 1423, Wilson NC 27894: Emma Anderson Chapel, PO Box 3071, Topsail Beach NC 28445 or the John &: Elizabeth Graves Family Scholarship Fund, Duke University Alumni Records, PO Box 90581, Durham NC 27708.