Neva Jewell Norton Graves

Neva Jewell Norton Graves, age 99, passed away peacefully August 22, 2023. Born November 27, 1923 in Loretta, TN as the first child of Floyd and Idell French Norton. Neva grew up on a farm in Columbia, TN with her big family of nine. She graduated from Columbia Business College and was then employed at the Army Quartermaster Depot in Jeffersonville, Indiana. Later she was sent to The Pentagon in Washington, D.C. to learn plugboard wiring for the big IBM machines.

On moving to Nashville, TN, she met and married Tom Graves, the love of her life. They brought 5 children into the world and raised them in a very loving, nurturing, and fun environment. They led by example, leaning on God’s guidance to provide each child with tender care and grace. Neva was a stay-at-home mom when the children were young. Once they all entered school she volunteered as room mother, PTA president and Girl Scout leader, later working as a secretary for Belmont United Methodist Church, Vanderbilt University and a receptionist/secretary in a dental office.

As a long-time member of Belmont United Methodist, Neva chaired many committees: Secretary of the Administrative Board, member of Staff/Parish committee, President of the United Methodist Women, member of Jessie Rustin class and Simplicity class. She and Tom always made it a priority to seek out visitors and invite them to lunch after the church service. She also volunteered in Respite Care and Homebound Visitation and was a member of Friends of Cheekwood and Warner Park Garden Club.

Neva and Tom later moved to The Heritage of Brentwood. There, they continued their very important work of making sure people were welcomed by introducing themselves to newcomers and inviting them to share a meal. Neva continued this legacy by reaching out to many with her welcoming arms of acceptance and love. She also served on the Landscape committee at the Heritage making certain that even the plants were well loved!

When Neva was asked what advice she had for others she said three things:

“Try to love all people"

“Don’t live by what others think. Be your own self”

“Sometimes it takes us a lifetime to realize that we just need to listen to God, have a good opinion of ourselves and live accordingly.”

Neva is survived by daughters Susan Lynn (David) Jordan and Celia (Hal) Taylor, sons Daniel (Ilene) Graves and Michael (Deborah) Graves, grandchildren Sarah (Dan) Shanaman and Corey Hancock (Elizabeth), great-grandchildren Lyla Jewell Shanaman, Amelia Hancock, Nate Hancock, sister Gayle (Steve) Secrest, sister-in-law Barbara Norton and granddaughter-in-law Brianna Taylor. She is preceded in death by her husband Thomas D. Graves, daughter Linda Graves, grandson Brandon Taylor, parents Floyd and Idell Norton, brothers Lloyd (Jane), Robert (Peggy) and William Norton; sisters Mary Paul Lasater (Wendell) and Sara Gaines.

Memorial Service for Neva will be held at 4:00pm Friday, August 25, 2023 with reception following at Belmont United Methodist Church, 2007 Acklen Avenue, Nashville, Tennessee 37212.

In lieu of flowers please send memorials to:

Belmont United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 120098 Nashville, TN 37212-0098

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Woodlawn-Roesch-PattonFH.com for the Graves family.