Proudly served in the U.S. Army during World War II Jesse Leroy Graham, 89, Ava, passed away Sunday, May 6, 2007. He was born Aug. 14, 1917, the son of Sam and Rose Strong Graham.
On July 19, 1941, he was united in marriage to Lola Malissa Wright in the Douglas County courthouse.
Jesse answered the call of his country and proudly served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was involved in several battles in Italy and Africa and received a number of medals for his service.
He was simply known as Jess to Ava area friends. Jess was always ready to help a neighbor or friend, and everyone he met was a neighbor or friend to him. He retired after 19 years as a maintenance man at the Ava school system, and was always willing to help young people and listen to their concerns. He also worked at several other places as a maintenance worker, including Sentinel. His ability to repair about anything always gave him something to do and someone to help.
He was fascinated by clocks and often made repairs to them.
He loved to go places and meet people, but perhaps his favorite place to go was church or a gospel singing. He passed on a deep faith in Jesus Christ as his personal savior to his family and friends.
Jess was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Otis Graham, Oscar Graham and Ike Graham; and three sisters, Cora Reynolds, Margaret Hildebrand and Dora Brooks. He was also preceded in death by a special great-grandson, Russell Keith Graham.
Jess is survived by his wife, Lola, of the home; two sons, Darrell and wife, Sue Graham, and Dale and wife, Pam Graham; four daughters, Wanda and husband, David Worden, Shirley Massen-gale, Janice and husband, Larry Unger, and Carolyn and husband, Steve Kingsley; and a foster son, Gerald and wife, Shirley Long. He is also survived by 21 grandchildren; 41 great-grandchil-dren; and a host of friends and relatives.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, May 9, at Ava Assembly of God Church with interment following in the Ava Cemetery with full military honors. All arrangements were under the care and direction of Ava Family Funeral Home.
