Born Dec. 21, 1935, at Brushyknob, Mo. Tessie Lorene Graham, daughter of Edward Eli Page and Blanche Leona (Reed) Page, was born Dec. 21, 1935, at Brushyknob, Mo., and a golden heart stopped beating and hard working hands laid to rest on Jan. 16, 2006, in Springfield, at the age of 70.
Tessie was a lifelong resident of the Ava area. On Nov. 15, 1959, Tessie and William Doil Graham were united in marriage in Ava. They were blessed with six children.
Tessie was employed as a cook for many years. She also worked for Heads Apple Orchard in Seymour and Village Inn Motel in Ava. Tessie worked hard all her life, loved flowers and was always helping her family.
Tessie was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a son, Harold Wayne, one brother, Jackie Page, and a sister, Letha Wyer.
She is survived by two sons, Howard Graham and Hershel Lee Graham, both of Ava; three daughters, Thelma Clayton, Wasola, Terri Lynn Graham, and Lisa Marlene Lakey, both of Ava; 13 grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. today (Thursday) in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, with the Revs. Woody Coonce, and Oren Alcorn officiating. Interment will be in the Hilo Cemetery.
Visitation was held from 6 to 7 p.m. in the funeral home.
