Virginia Pomeroy Graham

Virginia P. Graham, “Ginny” to her friends, loved the moss-draped southern live oaks of Mobile, Alabama, almost as much as she loved reading good books, and she loved books almost like family. But, of course, family and friends were beloved most.

Ginny died April 17, 2025, in Mobile, of age-related illness.

She and her future husband, Jack, were both born in Joliet, Illinois. They raised three children in that city and together as newlyweds built a small house on Campbell Street before moving into and restoring a beautiful, historic old home at 301 Nicholson. Now known as the William Moore House, it is listed by city authorities as a local landmark. The Graham family moved to Ottawa, Illinois, in the 1970s.

She loved the residential architecture of the south, from shotgun houses to historic mansions. After retiring, she and Jack moved to Mobile. For many years, Ginny volunteered at the historic Oakleigh House Museum, where she helped manage the gift shop. The mansion and surrounding Oakleigh Garden Historic District are on the National Register of Historic Places. Her other volunteer work included greeting and guiding visitors at the Mobile Welcome Center.

Her formal education ended with high school graduation, but she was as well-read as anyone with an advanced graduate degree and was fluently conversant on all literature of quality and on local history, architecture and culture.

Ginny is preceded in death by her husband, John H. Graham, son Scott Graham, and step-grandson, Ron Graham. She is survived by her son John C. Graham and his wife Judy Graham; son James W. Graham and his wife Linda Kingman; grandchildren Matthew Graham and wife Jill Graham, Ben Graham and wife Jen Scott-Graham, and Spencer K. Graham; great grandchildren Wesley, Julie, Evan, Elijah and Colin; step-daughter Lisa; and great-step-children Elijah, Aaron and Michael.

Ginny insisted that no fuss be made about a traditional memorial service in her honor, so her funeral arrangements are private.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ginny’s honor may be sent to Friends of the Mobile Public Library, P. O. Box 222, Mobile, AL 36601, or through their website at www.mobilepubliclibrary.org/friends/donate. Please note on your contribution that it is in memory of Virginia Graham.

In lieu of a traditional memorial service, the family recommends finding a big old tree to sit under, let its wide branches embrace you as Ginny did her family, and read an enriching passage from a favorite good book.