Louise Graves

Louise Schexnider Graves departed this life unexpectedly on January 3, 2021 after several years of declining health. A longtime resident of Rochdale Village, Louise will be fondly remembered as kind, warm and generous.

A native of Lake Charles, Louisiana, Louise moved to New York in 1962. She was the fourth of eight children of Alfred and Ruth Schexnider who preceded her in death along with five other siblings. Louise was baptized and confirmed at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Lake Charles and attended Sacred Heart School from the first through the twelfth grade. In her senior year she was elected Sacred Heart High School Homecoming Queen and following graduation enrolled at McNeese State University.

Louise was employed as a data processor in the insurance industry at Manhattan Life Insurance Company and Midland Insurance Company before retirement. Survivors include her husband James Graves; two brothers, Thaddeus L. Mayfield (Loretta), Bayside, NY and Alvin J. Schexnider (Virginia) of Chesapeake, VA; one brother-in-law, Ronald Parker of Shenandoah, Texas; two sisters-in-law, Brenda Schexnider of Lake Charles, LA and Ruth Schexnider of Wylie, TX; two aunts, Ethel Mayfield of Lake Charles, LA and Julie Mayfield of Inglewood, CA; two uncles, L. Joseph Sanford of Lake, Charles, LA and Freeman Mattox of Atlanta, GA; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Due to COVID a private graveside service will be held at Calverton National Cemetery in New York.