Miriam Anne Graham

She is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, William Ralph Graham of St. Simons Island, Georgia and their three children, Elizabeth Graham Ellis (Bryan) of Marietta, Georgia, William (Bill) Ralph Graham II (Patty) of Purcellville, Virginia, and Amy Graham Painton (Chris) of Beaufort, South Carolina. She is also survived by her 6 grandchildren, Caroline Ellis Cummings (Tyler) of Keller, Texas, Hannah Ellis of Fort Worth, Texas, Griffin Ellis of Marietta, Georgia, Haley Graham Eller (Brandon) of Gainesville, Georgia, William (Will) Ralph Graham II of Purcellville, Virginia, Lily Painton of Beaufort, South Carolina and her great grandsons, Graham and Weston Cummings of Keller, Texas.

Miriam was born in Morgan County (Madison) Georgia on June 26, 1941 to parents Ethel Pullen Dooley and James Robert Griffin Dooley. She graduated from Oconee County High School in Watkinsville, Georgia and attended Georgia State College in Milledgeville, Georgia. She was the youngest of the six children and survived by her brothers James Dooley of Eatonton, Georgia, Allen Dooley of Watkinsville, Georgia and Charles Dooley of Hull, Georgia. She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, William Alfred Dooley of Suffolk, Virginia and Dr. Robert J. Dooley of Aurora, Colorado.

Miriam was raised a farmer’s daughter and always liked to tell the story of meeting her true love and husband, Ralph over a sack of chicken feed at her parents farm in Watkinsville, Georgia. As the story goes, she returned from Athens with a 25 pound bag of chicken feed and there stood a handsome fellow discussing her daddy’s cotton crop with him. Miriam asked if she could have some help getting that heavy bag out of her car and Ralph gladly replied, “I will be happy to,” and so the courtship began. Miriam and Ralph married September 10, 1960 at Union Christian Church Watkinsville, Georgia.

They remained in Athens, Georgia after they married until 1965, then moved to Tuscola, Illinois until Ralph accepted a new job with the University of Georgia that brought them back to Athens in 1967. They lived there with their three children until 1974 when a new career opportunity opened up for Ralph with the Sea Island Company and the family pulled up stakes to relocate to Simons Island, Georgia. St. Simons Island remained Miriam’s home until her passing.

Miriam was a genuine people person and never met a stranger. She loved telling stories and passing on words of wisdom to all that crossed her path. Once Miriam befriended you, you were never forgotten as she always stayed connected to those that touched her life. She always enjoyed communicating with her friends and family on the phone, telling stories until the laughter kicked in. She embraced every person she encountered with acceptance and love. Once she knew your birthday, you could always expect a card or letter to let you know she was thinking of you. Miriam enjoyed making everyone in her life feel special by making time for her friends, family and strangers alike.

Miriam was successful in every undertaking. She was first and foremost a loving wife and mother. She took the role as a homemaker very seriously and made sure her family had all their needs met but she also felt a calling to start a career for herself. This included working her first job with Stanley Home Products. She did her job so well, she was awarded top sales producer during her tenure there. This accomplishment led her down a long road of achievement working sales for World Book Encyclopedia and raising significant donations for the Multiple Sclerosis foundation.

As her children grew and entered school, public education and community service became an integral part of Miriam’s life. Miriam was an active volunteer with the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) while in Athens. She was asked to increase her role in the PTA by serving on the State of Georgia PTA Board. She furthered her civic duties as she was appointed by Governor Busbee to serve as a member of the select committee on the Constitutional Revision of the Education Article of the 1976 Constitution. She was honored and humbled to serve the community and the great state of Georgia.

After moving to St. Simons Miriam continued her involvement with public education and joined the movement to change the Glynn County Public School System. She committed herself to the grassroots effort to improve public education for all students in Glynn County. She and other like-minded community members combined their efforts and formed “Citizens for Quality Education” (CQE). Her dedication and involvement in this community group lead to the first elected school board in Glynn County. Miriam’s efforts did not go unnoticed as she was asked to launch a campaign to fill the first ever elected seat on the Glynn County School Board. She proudly served as the representative for St. Simons, Sea Island and Jekyll Island district for 12 years.

Miriam’s last career undertaking was as a realtor in St. Simons and the surrounding areas. Her success in real estate was duly recognized as she was awarded “Top Producer” credentials on a number of occasions. After ending a successful career in real estate, Miriam retired and loved spending time with her husband and family. Miriam was an avid reader and enjoyed playing the piano. She took every opportunity to travel in her retirement to spend time with family and friends.

Miriam and her family were active members of the First Baptist Church of St. Simons Island. She taught Sunday school for 25 years and was always willing to serve the Church in any capacity she could. She enjoyed being a positive influence on those around her and giving the gift of time.

Miriam’s joy of life was contagious, her kind and giving spirit gave her and those in her life much happiness but nothing was more important to her than her family. She had a deep love and respect for her parents, brothers and her extended family. Her children, grandchildren and husband, Ralph were always her first concern and were at the forefront of all her decisions. She cherished the time she spent with each of them.

Services will be held to honor Miriam’s life on Friday, June 30th at 2:00 PM at the First Baptist Church of St. Simons Island, Georgia. There will be a reception immediately following the service in the Church fellowship hall. A private family burial service is planned.

Friends and family can honor Miriam by making a donation in her name to the First Baptist Church of St. Simons Island (or) Hospice of the Golden Isles. The family is receiving flowers at Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home in Brunswick, Georgia.