Lee Owens Graves

Funeral services for Mr. Lee Owens Graves, 83 of Gary, Texas will be at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, November 24, 2012 in the Hawthorn Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Rick Linebarger officiating. Burial will follow in Gary Cemetery under the direction of Hawthorn Funeral Home. Family visitation will be Friday, November 23, 2012 from 6 – 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Mr. Graves died Tuesday, November 20, 2012 in Carthage, Texas. Mr. Lee Owens Graves was born May 7, 1929 in Gary, Texas to Pious Pinkney and Vivian Heaton Graves. Lee attended Gary schools. He attended Panola College and served his country through the United States Army. Lee married Bessie Geraldine Lewellen on May 25, 1968 and together they celebrated over 44 years of marriage. Mr. Graves was self employed working as an Oil Field contractor. He was a lifetime member of the Order of Masonic Lodge, Gary Lodge #1101, Tenaha Masonic Lodge #737 and the Carthage Eastern Star Order #747. He was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign War, American Legion, and the Sons of Confederate Veterans. In 2010, Lee was inducted into the Texas Gospel Music Hall of Fame, for his dedication to gospel music for over 60 years. He was a longtime member of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church. Mr. Graves was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Deloros Davis and Phala Mae Williams; step-sons, Jeffrey Kimmey and Richard Jay Kimmey and grandson, Eric Jay Kimmey. Mr. Graves is survived by his wife, Bessie Geraldine Graves of Forth Worth; son, Johnny Lee Graves and wife Carla Ann of Dallas; daughter, Sandra McAllister and husband Floyd “Bubba” of Carthage; step-daughter, Jana Kay Hunt and husband Jim of Forth Worth; daughter-in-law, Paula Beth Pinkerton Kimmey of Tyler; numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, other relatives and a host of friends. Serving as pallbearers will be Bobby Strong, Christopher Hunt, Alan Metcalf, Sidney Ingram, Will Kimmey, and Scotty Bates. Honorary pallbearers will be Robert Fulger, Dean Soape, Don Bates, and Bubba McAllister. The family requests memorials be made to the Panola County Historical and Genealogical Association, 213 N. Shelby St. Carthage, Texas 75633.

Tributes

Lee Owens Graves

May 7, 1929 - November 20, 2012