Eugene M. Graves

EUGENE M. GRAVES, a resident of Eureka Springs, was born June 1, 1928, in Cleveland, Okla., a son of Dewey Lafayette and Gladys Belle (Wickham) Graves. He died Sunday, May 14, 2006, at the age of 77.

Mr. Graves was a member of the First Baptist Church in Shell Knob, and attended Lone Star Baptist Church in Eureka Springs. He was ordained as a deacon in Iola, Kan., and served as a deacon at the First Baptist Church in Shell Knob. He served with the National Guard and the State Guard. He was an automobile mechanic for 45 years. He drove a school bus for La Harpe, Kan., and Iola, Kan., school districts for 10 years.

On June 7, 1947, he was united in marriage with Donna (Gable) Graves, who survives him of the home. He is also survived by four daughters, Cheryl and her husband Frank Fieser of Garden City, Kan., Deanna and her husband Billy Crane of Eureka Springs, Patricia and her husband Shane Zornes of Butler, Mo. and Myrna and her husband James Cooper of Aurora, Mo.; two brothers, Rev. Richard and his wife Ruby Graves of Poulsbo, Wash., and Don and his wife Helen Graves of Liberal, Kan.; 10 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; several other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, Lois Rolfe, and two brothers, Kennie Graves and Denny Graves.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, May 17, 2006, at the Lone Star Baptist Church with Rev. Bob Gaddis and Rev. Jim Faulkner officiating. Interment followed in the Eureka Springs Cemetery under the direction of Nelson Funeral Service. Memorial donations may be made to a charity or church of one's choice. Online condolences may be sent to the family at nelsonfuneral.com.