He was born in Gibson County, moved to Chester County in 1926, the son of the late Joseph Harmon and Viola Scott Graves. He retired in 1973 after having worked at several places including Morgan Funeral Home, Stroud Chevrolet, and Guinn Bros. He owned Graves ESSO from 1954 until the early 1960’s.
He is survived by his wife, Naomi Elizabeth Wood Graves; a daughter, Patricia Graves Doyle of Henderson; grandchildren, Bryan Patrick Doyle of Madison, MS and Christopher Lawrence Doyle of Henderson; a brother, James H. ‘Buster’ Graves of Henderson and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Vernell Davidson Graves and a daughter Vickie L. Graves; brothers and sisters, Leotha Graves, Lila Graves Haltom, Little Joe Graves, Mary Graves Arnold, Reba Graves Ruth and Willodean Graves.