Berdie A Graves

Mrs. Berdie, a long-time resident of Goose Creek and lately of Summerville, South Carolina went home to the Lord on January 27th,2020. Mrs. Berdie was in her home with her loving daughters and two of her three granddaughters in attendance, when she passed peacefully from this world. Mrs. Berdie was a beautiful and strong Southern Lady, who survived her husband, Andrew M. Graves Jr by 53 years. Following Andrew’s death, she continued to raise her girls, while working full-time to provide them with a stable, loving home. Her daughters; Dianne Dickinson, Andrea Hiott, Jeanette Morrow, and Millicent Padgett are bereft with her passing.

Mrs. Berdie was born in Williamsburg county, South Carolina in 1922. She was born to Harris B. Avant and Mary Agnes Avant. She was raised with her sister, Lavinia Chapman. She graduated from Hemingway High School. She later moved to Charleston, South Carolina, where she met and married Andrew M. Graves Jr. They had their 4 daughters, Dianne, Andrea, Jeanette, and Millicent. The family lived on Orvid St. in Charleston near the Navy base. During that time, their niece Jacqueline would often come to stay, basically becoming their 5th daughter. As daughters are want to do, the girls all married and had children of their own. Dianne married James Dickinson Sr and they had James Jr and Andrea Lynn. Andrea married Ben Hiott and they had Renee’ and Kevin. Jeanette married twice and had Casey, Michael, and Adam. Millicent married Billie Padgett and they had Shawn and Brian. Jackie married twice and had Shane and Angel.

Prior to and following the death of her husband, Berdie had a series of jobs to include but not limited to working at Cigar factory in downtown Charleston, Port city drugs, Manhattan Shirt Co, MUSC as a patient care representative, and after a very brief retirement at the age of 87, she went to work the Goose Creek Tax service. She continued at the tax service until she truly retired at the young and vibrant age of 93.

Mrs. Berdie as she was often known by others had a wonderful, full, and amazing life. In addition to her children and grandchildren, she is survived by her great-grandchildren: Andrew Dickinson, Joshua Padgett, Jacob Padgett, Nate Padgett, Tavian Campenelli, Aiden Campenelli, Zane Campenelli, Madison Morrow, Copelyn Golden and Reilly Golden.

It is with sadness for ourselves but joy for her extraordinary life that we come to celebrate her home going to Lord God, Almighty, where we know she is whole and healed in the presence of her savior. We pray for His peace for ourselves and remember her.