Malessia Ethel Graves' Obituary
Malessia Graves,88, of Fayette, passed into eternity on Saturday, April 21, 2012 in Fayette. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 28, 2012 at 1pm at Holy Ground Tabernacle in Fayette. Burial will be in Gold Dust Cemetery. Visitation will be from 12-1pm Saturday at the church.
Malessia Ethel Graves, daughter of the late Estill James Jones and Mary Opal Jackman-Jones was born March 8, 1924 in Fayette, MO. She attended school in Howard County, MO.
She professed her faith and accepted Christ at an early age. Under the leadership of Elder J.A. Teverbaugh, she was baptized and became a member of Church of God in Christ. She continued her journey with the Lord under the leadership of Elder Ruben Paige, Elder Richard C. Paige and Pastor Denise V. Johnson. Her willing and tireless effort of cooking, serving and selling fish sandwiches played an instrumental role in the building of Paige Temple and Holy Ground Christian Tabernacle. She served on the Holy Ground Christian Tabernacle Trustee Board and fulfilled her duties as Mother of the church for over 17 years.
Malessia was a hard and dedicated worker. She was united in marriage to Sam Graves. She was employed for many years at Central Methodist University, Rest Haven, and Phillips Home before retiring from Endless Options.
Cherishing her beautiful memory are her daughters, Mary Ann (Leroy) Broadus and Wilhelmina Graves of Fayette, MO. Her sons , Marvin (Ruthann) Graves, Macon, MO Robert (Peggy) Graves of Cedar Rapids, IA, Chester Graves and Renaldo Graves of Fayette, MO. Her sisters, Georgia Harris, Doris (Kenneth) Broadus of Columbia, MO and Mary Hill of Phoenix, AZ. She also leaves to treasure her legacy, a host of grand- children, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends. She also leaves to honor her memory her godchildren, Constance Crump, Larry Moore and Alfred Terrill.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her son, Melvin Graves, her daughter, Wilma Bush, a twin brother, Nathaniel Jones, her brother, William (Jack) Harris and her sisters, Mary Belle Cooper, Matilda Tindall, Vida Lee Jones and Oneida Broadus.
Malessia, affectionately known as “Lissie” will always be remembered as being a mighty woman of God. She loved to go fishing, enjoy her family and worship the Lord. Her home was always open to all. You were guaranteed a good meal, wonderful conversation and a good dose of sound advice. Mother “Lissie” known for her deep chuckle was an independent woman who was a strong provider and a created a solid foundation for her family. She was a true angel who gave of herself freely and loved everyone unconditionally.
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