Rhys Graves Claiborne

Rhys Graves Claiborne (88), affectionately known as Bebes, left this earthly plane on Feb. 05, 2025, after an abundant life filled with love, creativity, and many belly laughs. A Knoxville native, graduate of West High School and Hollins College, she spent a memorable year in Paris which shaped her world view. In later life, she earned her Master’s Degree in social work at UT.

Bebes was a talented actress in the early days of Carousel Theatre. She indisputably left this community better for us all. She helped found the local chapter of the Florence Crittenton Agency through her work with the Junior League. She was an active volunteer with the Dulin Art Gallery, and she joined the campaign to “Save the Bijou” when it was slated for the wrecking ball. But her proudest achievement was helping found the Knoxville Opera Company. As president of the Arts Council, she convened a steering committee who met monthly in her living room to lay its foundation.

Never afraid to venture into uncharted waters, she was the first person in town to design and have built a black-bottom swimming pool. She started a container and closet design store before they were all the rage. She worked with her dear friend and architect to design and build a most unconventional but spectacular home with very few right angles where she thoroughly enjoyed living and entertaining. She was a member of Girls Cotillion and Nine O’ Clock Cotillion among others. She was an active member of the Episcopal Church of the Ascension where she occasionally sang in the choir and helped with the Flower Guild. She spent untold hours as a docent at the Armstrong Lockett House.

Her grandest purpose in life was her role as a mother to her four children, whom she leaves behind to cherish her amazing life and reap the good fortune of her parentage. Olwen Claiborne (husband Emory Cannon), Mary Pom Claiborne (husband John Bradley), Julia Whipple (husband Carl, sons Mac and Rhys) and Reed Claiborne (partner Nicole Lussier) will forever bask in the glory of the Goose who laid the golden eggs. She thoroughly enjoyed her many nieces and nephews, as well as her dear friends.

Bebes was preceded in death by her grandson Christian Claiborne, brother Sandford “Sandy” Pomeroy Graves Jr, mother Olwen Jones Graves, and father Sandford “Pom” Pomeroy Graves Sr.

The family would like to express their gratitude for the loving care she received at Northshore Heights Senior Living and Shalom Hospice. Memorials may be made in her honor to the Episcopal Church of the Ascension or the Knoxville Opera.

A celebration of her life will be held at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension on Thursday, February 13, at 2:00 p.m., followed by a reception. Memorials may be made to the church or Knoxville Opera.