Rufus was born in Albemarle County, Virginia to Christie May Carter and Rufus I. Graves, Sr. on April 27, 1937. He attended Crozet School and Albemarle High School. On August 4, 1956, he married Louise Elizabeth Mottesheard, the love of his life, at Tabor Presbyterian Church in Crozet. For approximately the next two and a half decades, he worked as a Purchasing Agent for Morton Frozen Foods, later ConAgra, in Crozet and Charlottesville, Virginia. He was a member and president of the Crozet Volunteer Fire Department for many years during the 1960’s and ‘70’s, and was instrumental in establishing Crozet’s July 4th parade tradition as well as bringing in the Crozet Arts and Crafts Festival. Throughout his life, he has enjoyed and shared many other creative pursuits: floral arranging, woodworking, and bargain hunting! Perhaps his biggest lifelong passion, though, was his music. He enjoyed playing numerous stringed instruments by note and by ear.
Rufus is preceded in death by his wife of 33 years, Louise; his mother, Christie May Carter, and his father, Rufus I. Graves, Sr.
He is survived by his loving sisters Margaret Gentry, Shirley Raines and their beloved families; son Kevin and daughter-in-law Dusti and their many children who called him PawPaw. He is also survived by his daughter Karen, son-in-law Peter, grandson Alex, and granddaughter Samantha; and by his daughter Kimberly, son-in-law Kevin, their children Andrew and Caitlin, her husband Chase, and great grandson Seth.
A public visitation will be held at Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Home in Waynesboro, Virginia on Friday February 5, 2021 from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.
A public graveside service will be held at Rockgate Cemetery, Crozet, Virginia, on Saturday, February 6, 2021 at 2 p.m.
