Graham Watson Somers

Graham Watson Somers, 94, of Charlotte, passed away peacefully with his daughter by his side on Monday, September 14th. Son of the late Arthur Asbury Somers and Minnie Adams, Mr. Somers was born in Greensboro on October 27, 1920. Between the years of 1943 and 1946, Graham served honorably in World War II as First Lieutenant in the US Army Coast Artillery Corps. He arrived in Scotland on the Queen Mary in April of 1944 and proceeded to England, France and Germany. After the war, he served as Post Adjutant at Fort Sainte Adresse in LeHavre, France, before returning to the states. Most recently, he received a medal of honor from the French government for his role in the liberation of Paris.

Graham attended Berea College in KY and Mars Hill University in NC and received his Master’s Degree from Duke University. Graham was a retired teacher and taught for more than 40 years in the NC public school system, most recently at Alexander Graham Junior High School. Active in national, state and local educational organizations, he was one of a group of teachers instrumental in obtaining insurance for NC educators. Mr. Somers is predeceased by his wife, Mary Helen Cooper Somers. He is survived by his daughter, Mary Lynn Somers of Charlotte; two sisters, Ruth Somers Lewis of Denver, NC, and Esther Somers Presswood of Alexis, NC, and many nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends at McEwen Pineville Chapel, 10500 Park Road, Charlotte, on Thursday, September 17th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Funeral service will be on Friday, September 18th, at 2:00 pm at Thompson Memorial Chapel EMC Church, 7449 Forney Hill Road, Denver, NC. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Greater Charlotte SPCA, PO Box 77491, Charlotte, NC 28271. Online condolences may be left at www.mcewenpinevillechapel. com