Olive Marie Dennis Graves

Olive Marie Dennis Graves passed away on April 17, 2026, in Maitland, FL, after a long illness. She was 95 years old, born on December 9, 1930, in Scrabble VA. She spent her earliest years surrounded by a large loving family. She became a member of Shiloh Baptist Church, Woodville, VA as a child, as other family members had done, dating back to 1870. She graduated in 1944 from Scrabble School, 1946 from Banneker Junior High, Washington, DC, and 1948 from Culpeper Training School. She returned to DC, where worked as a surgical supply technician until she married Clarence Richard Graves Jr. He was a pharmacy graduate from Howard University. They were together for almost 50 years, until his death in 2001. Olive and Clarence made a home in Lanham, MD for their children, Gretchen, Gisele and Clarence Richard III. Ebeneezer United Methodist became their local church home. Olive was a gifted baker, cook, seamstress, and crochet master, skills she shared generously with family and friends. She enjoyed gardening, going for walks, reading, lottery cards and puzzles. She had a passion for gospel music and lent her beautiful voice to the choirs at both Shiloh Baptist and Ebenezer United Methodist Church. She loved her two churches, serving faithfully. Memberships included United Methodist Women, Girl Scouts, Red Hat Ladies, Carsondale Civic Association and the Glenarden American Legion Auxiliary. She volunteered at Lincoln and James McHenry Elementary Schools and at her voting precinct in Lanham . Travelling was important for Olive, as she was always careful to maintain her connection with family and friends. In 2016, she was welcomed to the home of daughter Gisele (Gerald) where she lived for 10 years.

Olive Marie possessed a loving, outgoing personality. She was a woman who believed deeply in the potential of others. She never forgot those who were struggling, making it a personal mission to call or visit the sick and homebound, offering comfort and companionship when it was needed most. She generously made donations to her churches and other charitable organizations.

She is preceded in death by her parents Willie L. and Lib Dennis; husband Clarence R. Graves Jr.; sister Lillian Timbers; and brothers Clifford (Polly), Walter, Carroll, Lloyd and Donald. Son-in-law William H. Johnson Jr MD. Stepson Michael Graves.

She is survived by her sister Catherine Taylor. Children Gretchen Graves MD, Gisele Burke BSN (Gerald), Clarence R. Graves III PA-C (Tanya Evans NP); Grandchildren Erica Johnson (Victor Noskov), Gerald Burke Jr., Adrienne Johnson (Nishant Bhansali), Joseph Graves and Julian Graves. Step grandchildren Ian Graves, Antoinette and Brandon Muirhead, Wayne McFarland. Two great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

There will be a scheduled visitation on May 8, 2026, from 4-8:00 pm at Clore-English Funeral Home, 11190 James Monroe Hwy, Culpeper, VA. Funeral services, at Shiloh Baptist Church, 15 Red Oak Mt Rd. Woodville, VA, will begin May 9,2026 at 10:00 am with one-hour of visitation. Then followed by an 11:00 am funeral service with burial to follow at Shiloh Cemetery following. Reverend Michael Tinsley Jr. officiating. Pallbearers will be Gerald Burke Jr., Joseph Graves, Julian Graves, Brandon Muirhead, Nishant Bhansali, and Victor Noskov. Honorary pallbearers are Gerald Burke Sr., R. Anthony Graves, Danoyd Dennis, Andrew Dennis Taylor, Craig Greene and Cleve Allen.

 “Spread Love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier,” --Mother Teresa