Irene M. Graham

She was the widow of William Earl Graham, they shared 33+ years together.

Born in Calw County Hospital in Germany, she was the second daughter of Herman and Frida Litz.

In 1942 she started school and because her parents and grandparents had their own gardens, she learned how to grow vegetables and fruit, earning her “Green Thumb” a skill she had with plants her whole life.

Growing up in WWII Germany was hard. Despite the nightly air raids and the atrocities she witnessed as a child, she and her family would give precious food and resources to war prisoners. The prisoners were ordered to do heavy work for many families in their small town, including her family.

The war left many scars on her, she became under nourished and had to spend time with relatives who had goats. Drinking goats milk brought her back to a good weight and better health, and soon she returned home.

After working 4 years for a ladies and mens tailor, she decided to take a job in England. Since she did not know any English, she asked a friend for help and soon became a nanny for a doctor’s family in Liverpool. She headed to England with only a German/English translation book and the courage to learn.

After an adventurous winter and summer traveling with the doctor’s family in England and Scotland, she returned to help her sister Lori with her newborn son Jurgen.

Conscientious to support her family, she found a job in a factory, sewing garments.

Unable to practice her English and worried she would forget the English she had learned, her prayers were answered when her Uncle Eugene and Aunt Lydia came for a visit and invited her to live with them in America.

In 1958, after a difficult decision, she left her beloved family and came to America, knowing that it would be a long time before she could return home.

Only a few weeks into her new home, she would obtain a job at a garment factory.

In the summer of 1958, Meta a good friend she met at the factory, introduced her to Bill Graham, who was a widower with 2 children, Jim, 7 years old and Eunice, 5 years old.

In 1959, she married Bill and they welcomed 5 more children, Tolitha, Veronica, Tom, Angela and Andrea.

She was blessed with 9 grandchildren, Jason, Kyl, Creed, Brandi, Autumn, Carrie, Talen, Connor and Talia. 12 great grandchildren, Cayden, Camryn, Keegan, Amberley, Cooper, Lexie, Hunter, Jasper, Piper, Alexis, Charlotte and Benjamin.

She enjoyed many hobbies, including latch hook, painting, baking and especially her garden.

She loved animals and always had at least one around the home. Scottie, her last dog, was a great companion for her.

She worked as a seamstress for several employers and had her own alterations business until her retirement.

Funeral services are Friday, January 6, 2023 at:

Eastern Gate Memorial Gardens

1985 West Nine Mile Road, Pensacola, Florida

Viewing from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. and service at 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Thank you for supporting our family today.

We are grieving for the deep love we had for her.

She taught us all what is really important in life:

“To Love, Support and Care for the Friends and Family in Our Lives.”

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.EasternGateMemorial.com for the Graham family.