Richard R. Graves

Reverend Graves was preceded by his wife of 68 years Lucille Graves, one grandson Ricky Graves, parents Glen and Ruby Graves, three bothers Jack, Bill, John and one sister Cora "Bugs" Tomlin.

Reverend Graves is survived by one son Butch Graves and wife Peggy of Longview; three daughters Sandy Cochran and husband Jerry of Troup, Eva Ivy and husband Roger of Tyler and Becky Carpenter of Whitehouse; 12 grandchildren Ronnie Dacus, Eva Gilliland, Mickey Dacus, Candy Ivy, Shane Graves, Tina Graves, Tonya Thompson, Alex Carpenter, Charles O'Neal, James Barr, Tony Kanuch and Sheri Caldron; 23 great-grandchildren and 17 great-great-grandchildren.

Reverend Graves was a member of Everett Road Baptist Church, Tyler, Texas. He was licensed to preach the Gospel on July 28, 2002 and ordained into the Ministry the 26 of January 2003. Prior to this he was an Ordained Deacon at Landmark Baptist Church, Cornerstone Baptist Church and New Life Baptist Church. He, with his wife Lucille at his side, was a children's minister. He loved kids and they were his life. Wherever he went, be it Brookshire’s, Walmart or anywhere, you could hear kids holler "Hi Grandpa." For you see they were known as Grandpa and Grandma to all they taught. He loved God and it showed in his love for his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. There was always plenty of love, candy and bubble gum to go around and on occasion a chocolate Hersey bar in his left shirt pocket.

Reverend Graves served in the US Air Force from August 28, 1946 until April 1, 1967 and retired with the rank of Senior Master Sergeant (E8).

Family will accept visitors at Memorial Funeral Home on Friday, September 9 between 6-8 PM.

A full Military Funeral will be held Saturday, September 10 at 1:00 PM at Everett Road Baptist Church, Hwy 64 West,Tyler with Terry Sustaire, Mike Daniels and Rick Adee officiating. Burial will be at Memorial Cemetery in Tyler.

Arrangements under the direction of Tyler Memorial Funeral Home - Cemetery and Mausoleum, Tyler, TX.