Sara Eloise Graves

Born on July 31, 1957, in Jacksonville, Sara was a proud lifelong resident of the city she loved deeply. A devoted daughter, beloved aunt, loyal friend, dedicated sister, businesswoman, and passionate community advocate, Sara lived a life defined by patriotism, determination, elegance, and unwavering commitment to her family, community, and work.

Sara devoted more than 50 years to American Coolair Corporation, the international manufacturing company founded by her grandfather in Jacksonville’s Murray Hill neighborhood. As co-owner, she helped guide and preserve the family business through nearly half of the company’s remarkable 98-year history. Her dedication, vision, and tireless work ethic helped shape American Coolair into the respected company it remains today. Alongside her family, she carried forward a proud tradition of American manufacturing and took immense pride in the company’s legacy and its Jacksonville roots.

Following in the footsteps of her father, Sara became deeply involved in civic and political activism throughout her life. She was a Past Vice President and board member of the Republican Women’s Club of Duval Federated and remained a dedicated member for decades. Throughout her years of service, she also chaired and served at the state level on numerous committees within the Florida Federation of Republican Women, where she devoted countless hours to civic engagement, political advocacy, and conservative causes she cared deeply about. Throughout her life, she actively supported political campaigns and community causes at the local, state, and national levels and passionately advocated for victims of violent crime through organizations such as the Justice Coalition.

Sara was a proud graduate of Wolfson High School - Class of 1976, a lifetime member of San Jose Country Club, and a member of Southside United Methodist Church.

Sara will be remembered for her extraordinary work ethic, her larger-than-life personality, her grace, and her appreciation for beauty in all things. She loved elegant entertaining, fine dining, traveling, antiques, event planning, and the finer things in life. She had impeccable taste, a strong sense of conviction, and a gift for making every detail feel special. Fiercely loyal and unapologetically herself, Sara left a lasting impression on everyone who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Marion Burnside Graves and Harry Marks Graves; her grandparents, Eloise Marks and James Graves; her Canadian grandparents, Sadie and Robert Earl Burnside; and her former husband and companion, Michael Kent.

She is survived by her brothers, Harry Marks Jr. (Lynelle Graves) and Robert Graves Sr. (Cindy Graves); her nieces and nephews Marisa Whitson (Zach; children Ellie, Taylor, and Margot), H.B. Graves, Austin Hawker (Kirsten; sons Austin Jr. and Rhett), Chelsea Young (John; daughters Frances and Beatrix), Caitee Hawker (Kat), and Bobby Graves Jr. (Julia; daughter Rosalie), along with many extended family members, dear friends, colleagues, and members of the Jacksonville community who will miss her deeply.

Sara’s life was a testament to hard work, resilience, patriotism, and devotion to family tradition. Her legacy will live on through the family she loved, the business she helped build, and the countless lives she touched throughout the Jacksonville community.

Visitation will be held at Hardage-Giddens Oaklawn Legacy Lodge, 4801 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32207, on May 28, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

A Funeral Service will take place at Hardage-Giddens Oaklawn Legacy Lodge, 4801 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32207, on May 29, 2026, at 10:30 am.

A Committal Service will be held at Oaklawn Cemetery, 4801 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32207, on May 29, 2026.