Ethel Graham

Ethel Gillenwater Graham, 134 Hurricane Ridge Road, Bluefield, WV. She fought the good fight, she kept the faith, and on Tuesday, September 13, 2011 at the age of 97, with her family by her side, she finished the race. Finally, she will receive her Crown of Righteousness, which her Lord whom she loved so much will give her. Born on September 16, 1913, in Tazewell, VA, she was the ninth of ten children to James Dexter and Lydia Whitt Gillenwater. Those preceding her in death other than her parents were brothers Earl, Walter, & Arthur “Potty” Gillenwater; sisters, Callie Burgess, Nannie Repass, Arie Spicer, Lettie Repass, Mary “Peg” Gillenwater and Bessie Repass and many nieces and nephews who were special to her. Moving to McComas in 1926, she met and married Trigg Graham in 1928. To this union, she birthed a son, JD and a daughter June, both who proceeded in death. Thirteen years later, she gave birth to another daughter, Rev. Connie Black. Left to cherish her memory includes: Her daughter and son in law: Rev. Connie Black and Rev. James Black of Bluefield and were also her caregivers. Son: Curtis Graham and wife Sherri of Harrisburg, NC 7 grandchildren: Anthony Graham and wife Helga of Bluefield Yolanda Green of Covington, VA Princess Black Fogus and husband Marty of White Sulphur Springs, WV Eddie Black and wife Beth of Ronceverte Marty Black of Kingsport, TN Tyler and Kaylee Graham of Harrisburg, NC 9 great grandchildren: Adrianne Hoover and husband Rodney Kristen Graham Chelsea and Lindsey Black Jakob Green Lacy and Seth Fogus Gage and Alex Black Special nieces: Karen Cox and husband Bill Jennifer Graham Many nieces and nephews whom she loved very much Mom served her Lord well and it can be said of her that she always went above and beyond giving of herself of her time, service, and materially. She never saw a need that she failed to reached out to. She never met a stranger and she drew people into her presence wherever she went. She was a faithful member and supporter of the New Vision IPH Church. A celebration of her life will be on Friday, September 16, 2011 (which would have been her 98th birthday) at 1:00 PM at the Cravens-Shires Funeral Home Chapel in Bluewell with Rev. James Black, Rev. Pat Wheeler, and Rev. Ronnie Kennett officiating. Entombment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Princeton where grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Great grandsons will serve as honorary pallbearers. Friends may call on Thursday from 6-8 PM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make memorial contributions to the June Graham Memorial Fund, 134 Hurricane Ridge Road, Bluefield, WV 24701. This memorial fund is used to sponsor young people who wish to attend youth camps who financially cannot afford it. Online condolences will be accepted at www.cravens-shires.com Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell is serving the family.