Jessie Mae Graves

Jessie Mae (King) Graves was born in New Albany, Mississippi, on June 3, 1950, to the late Jimmy L. King and Madora W. King. She was the only girl of 9 children. She accepted Christ at an early age at Palestine M.B. Church.

She graduated from U.C.T.S./B.F. Ford High School in May 1969, the last graduating class from the only black school in the county.

After high school, Jessie attended Northeast Community College. After college, she and her high school sweetheart (Harry Spears) moved to Kansas City, MO, for a better life. Soon after arriving in Kansas City they married, and to that union two daughters were born: Shree M. Jackson and Tamara Y. Spears-McCray.

Jessie worked at Sears Roebuck and Company, where she met her loving husband Michael “Mike” Graves. To that union, her only son Michael “Mikey” Graves, was born. After leaving Sears she worked at Commerce Bank for over 25 years.

Jessie lived her best life, and loved hanging out with friends and family. Remaining close to her roots, she traveled frequently to MS visiting family and attending the B.F. Ford High School Reunion.

Preceding her in death are her parents Jimmy and Madora King, four brothers Jimmy King, Jason King, Tommie King, and William King, and close friend that became a sister Carmelita Hampton.

Jessie leaves to mourn her death, husband Mike Graves of 40+ years, daughters Shree Jackson (Elvin), Tamara Spears-McCray (Gary), son Michael “Mikey” Graves (Crystal), brothers Curtis King (Alice), James King, Charles King, and David King; all of Mississippi. Grandchildren: LeaAngela (De’Ante), Kishana (Eric), Kamilah (Remaurus), Takelah (Jeffrey), Jesse, Vecel, Tyriq (Xandria), Ja’Leen, Jamal, Amaya, Mikey Jr, Maddox, and MacKenzie. Fifteen great grandchildren, close friends that became sisters Bobby Rice and Vanessa Johnson, sister-in-laws Karen and Deborah Carney, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

A visitation for Jessie will be held Saturday, November 2, 2024 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Floral Hills Funeral Home and Cemetery, 7000 BLUE RIDGE BLVD, KANSAS CITY, MO 64133.

A memorial service will follow Saturday, November 2, 2024 from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Floral Hills Funeral Home and Cemetery, 7000 BLUE RIDGE BLVD, KANSAS CITY, MO 64133.