Helen Pasterczyk Graham

Helen Graham, age 90, of Conyers passed away on Friday, April 30, 2010. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph H. Graham, Jr. and daughter, Barbara Jean Campbell, and twin great-grandsons, Robert and Samuel Hicks.

She is survived by sons, Joseph H. Graham, III of Monroe, Robert and Barbara Graham, Panama City Beach, FL, Thomas and Sandra Graham of Conyers, twin daughters, Laura Graham of Conyers, GA and Cynthia and David Holmes of Loganville; grandchildren Tony and Janna Burdett of Marietta,; Rusty Parker, Hugh Campbell, Bryan Campbell, Dr. Matthew and Ashley Graham of Winston-Salem, NC; Thomas and Michele Graham, Jr. of Arnoldsville, GA, Benjamin Graham of Conyers, Jamie Holmes of Loganville, Deborah and Randy Holcombe of Douglasville, Elaine Gonzalez, Samantha and Andrew Hicks, and Kristina and Jason Shadden; 20 great grandchildren; 4 great -great grandchildren.

She was born in Westfield, Massachusetts of Polish parents. Mrs. Graham was very proud of her Polish heritage, often referring to herself as "a little polish grandmother". Having lost both her parents at a very early age, Helen moved to Atlanta to be with her best friend where she met and married her husband, Joe, before he was deployed overseas to serve in the Pacific during World War II. She was a life- long Catholic, having served as President of the Women's Altar Society at The Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Atlanta. She gave birth to twin daughters in 1964 and lost her husband, the love of her life, only five years later. Her life was dedicated to the nourishment of her children and grandchildren in education and religion. In her middle age she served as a teacher at the AA Progressive Montessori School in Lithonia, GA. In later years she enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, teaching them to draw and color. She loved nature, reading, sewing and working crossword puzzles.

The Funeral Mass will be at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, May 4, at St. Anna's Catholic Church, in Monroe, with Rev. Daniel Toof serving as Celebrant.Interment will follow at Fairview Memorial Gardens in Stockbridge. The family will receive friends at Horis A. Ward’s Rockdale Chapel on Sunday, May 2, from 2 to 5 and on Monday, May 3, from 5 -8 PM. Horis A. Ward’s Rockdale Chapel 770-918-8851.