Frank (Dukie) Graves was born January 15, 1921 in Yonkers, New York to Fannie Hatfield and George Graves. Duke grew up in Yonkers and attended the public-school system in Yonkers. Dukie was the youngest of five children. Bro Duke had to drop out of school while in junior high school to help support his family after the death of his mother. His siblings, Theodore, Clara, Edith and Albert all predeceased him. Duke joined the army and fought in WWII. After the war Duke left the army with an honorable discharge on November 22, 1945. Duke meet and married his longtime sweetheart Edith Brennan. They were married on January 26, 1946.From this union they had two children one girl and one boy. Duke worked for Westchester Carting for a few years then began working for the city of Yonkers in the sanitation department. Dukie worked many years for the city of Yonkers until his retirement. Later in life Duke accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior. He joined Metropolitan AME Zion church where his wife Edith was already a member. Duke worked as the sexton of the church along with his wife until his health began to fail. Dukie was a very outgoing person. He always enjoyed laughing and making jokes. Duke was friendly with everyone he encountered. As Duke and his wife Edith health began to fail, they were taken care of at home by their daughter and son and his niece Saundra Eaddy. When it was impossible to continue to have home care Duke and his wife Edith was moved into Andrus Nursing Home in Hastings on the Hudson. Duke was blessed to live to see his 99th birthday on January 15, His body being tired and ready to see his Lord and Savior Duke passed away on his wife’s birthday January 20, 2020. Duke leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife Edith, one daughter Thelma D. Molvak (Jan) of Ossining, NY, one son, Frank L Graves of Philadelphia, PA, one sister-in law, Sianti Graves of Queens, NY, one grandson, Jan Jr. (Laura) of Washington DC, one great granddaughter Hazel of Washington DC and a host of nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and a host of friends. The family gives a special thanks to his nephew James Snead who always kept his hair cut and face shaved. Also, a very special thank you to Rev Julius Walls Jr. Visiting hours will be at the Metropolitan ASME Zion Church, 76 Belknap Ave., Yonkers on Wednesday January 29th from 9-11am with a funeral service to follow at 11am. Interment to follow at Oakland Cemetery.
Whalen & Ball Funeral Home
168 Park Ave.
Yonkers, N.Y. 10703
(914)965-5488
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