Obituary of Frances Graves

Frances Graves, 88 of Moberly, passed away at her home July 29, 2016. She was born November 19, 1927 in Moberly, MO to Mary Althera and Stephen Graves, the second of six children. Frances presided in Moberly her entire life. She was a member of Grant/Lovell Chapel AME for over 70 years before joining Trinity United Methodist Church. She attended services and was an active member in both churches for many years until her illness prevented her from attending. Frances was always busy. She worked at the garment factory in Fayette, MO for four years before beginning her job at Baxter Health where she worked for another 22 years. In addition, she worked as a housekeeper for many families in the Moberly area and did ironing for people as well. When she wasn’t working for pay, she was volunteering. For many years she helped serve meals at the Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners for the “lonely and/or hungry” in Randolph County. She was also a member and volunteer for OATS, member of NAACP, and did volunteer work for the Christos Center and Moberly Regional Medical Center. Frances was awarded many plaques and certificates for her volunteerism but her greatest joy was just helping others. Frances served as a foster parent for several children through the years and adopted one of the children, her son George. She also helped raise her nieces and a nephew. Those preceding her in death are her parents, three brothers, Leroy, William, and Pearlie; one half brother, two brothers-in-law and two sisters, Mary Lou and Barbara; a very dear cousin, Alberta Branham, who was like a sister to her. She is survived by her son George,; grandchildren Keshia, Dorrian, Chase, Katie, Alyssa, Andrew, Jaelan, Tyshaun and Dominique; nieces Toni (husband Donald) Kitchen, who were her caretakers for many years, Perry, Deborah, Lorie, Kathy and Kristee; nephews Jimmy, David, Jody and Stephen; several great nieces and nephews; cousins Fleta Gross, Lorine Garth and special cousins William Branham and Sandra Buchanan. Frances was always willing to help anybody and her legacy continues as she has donated her body to medical science through the University of Missouri. A memorial service for Frances will be held at Pathway Memorial Funeral Home at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, August 5, 2016. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until time of service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, Frances requested memorial contributions be made to the Grant/Lovell Chapel AME Church, Box 722, Moberly, MO or Trinity United Methodist Church 101 South Fourth St., Moberly, MO.