Oh goodness, how do you share a memory when there are so many.  Michael is my cousin.  He was kind and very caring, regardless of who you were.  I suppose I will always be sorry that we didn't all get together more in the last twenty-five years of Michael's life.  We just trudge through year after year and suddenly there isn't another year to visit....they are gone.  I am so grateful that I can call him "one of ours" and so thankful he left beautiful children and grandchildren to carry on his legacy.  Thinking of you, Ivy, Darrell, Heather, Pat and all the grandchildren.

Drove to Memphis and back for my friend Michael's funeral service.  I was so sad when I heard of his passing.  He was 2 months older than me.  Now it's done and on reflection, how selfish my feelings were.  In my lifetime I've met many people; but only a handful of people I love like Mike.  Mike was one of those souls you meet and instantly fall in love with.  He's the kid at 5 years old you put on a field with 20 other kids he's never met, and in 10 minutes Mike will have them all licking off the same sucker.  We first met in 1984 when our kids were in Boy Scouts.  The moment I met him I thought, how could anyone not love this man?  Then I got to know him over the years and thought, he does have a few quirks, but you gotta love him anyway, and I did.  Now he's gone and he would hate it if I was sad.  So Dear Mike, I am going to focus on the joy of the time we spent together.  I never told you that you were one of my heroes, but I think you knew.  I never told you I loved you, but I think you knew.  It will always be one of the greatest privileges in my life that you called me friend.  Looking forward  to seeing you again, and I know I will.  Love ya buddy!

Mike was a very good softball player and that's how I got to know him.  Initially he was an opponent who played for our rival, Ten Old Men, and he was as we say "a tough out".  Eventually I was able to convince him to play with my team, Old School.  Not only was he good as a player and a teammate he was Old School all the way. What that means is you respect the game, play it right and play it with joy.   Mike could pretty much play any position but if you asked him what position, he would say "Tailback".  We would look at him funny and Mike would say yeah I would always tell the coach I was ready to go in and coach would say, "son, get your tailback in here".  Mike was fun and a joy to be around.   Mike was also very smart and understood a lot about the game.  I learned a lot from listening to him. Since he got sick he has been unable to play and so I and many others have been  missing him for several years.  We loved Mike and we loved Ivy.  It was a true blessing that I got to know both of them.  

Oh my, where to start.  I was 11 years old when Mike was born.  His grandfather, my uncle Estel  took a bus from Memphis to Little Rock with Michael and a diaper bag when he was six weeks old.  If you knew Estel Graham, that wouldn't surprise you.  In our younger years when all our family was alive we would gather at my Aunt Lou's house for Thanksgiving and all the Graham family would raise the roof.  We are a small group now with most of our family passed before us.  I can tell you this, Michael Wayne Graham was a good man, a man of integrity and faith.  He truly loved his family. He fought the good fight and ultimately won the battle.  I know I will see you again, Michael...save me a place at the banquet table.  I love you, Cuz....Camilla

Family Will Receive Friends

Memorial Service

Ivy Cathrine Graham

Heather Graham Chambers (Jarett)

OBITUARY

Michael Wayne Graham

7 November, 1952 – 21 July, 2019

Collierville Funeral Home

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