Jerry Oliver Graves, 65, of Murphy died Sunday, October 9, 2011 in Erlanger Medical Center.  He was a native of Cherokee County but had lived in Atlanta for 30 years before moving back to Cherokee County in 1998.  He was a veteran of the Vietnam War serving for two years in the United States Army.  He retired after 30 years from Lucent Technologies.  He attended and drove the church bus for Praise Mill Baptist Church in Atlanta.

He was the son of Lou Montgomery Graves Ledford of Andrews and the late Garland Graves.  He was also preceded in death by a son, Jeremy David Graves in 1990; one sister, Nancy Juanita Killian; and a brother, Ted Wayne “Jimmy” Graves.

Surviving, in addition to his mother, are his wife of 26 years, Barbara Gentry Graves; three sisters, Judy Ann Griggs and husband Robert of Murphy, Janet Sue West and husband William of Andrews, and Jackie Robinson of Albany, GA; three brothers, Garland Graves Jr. and wife Nina of Murphy, Johnny Ray Graves and wife Debbie of Nokomis, FL, and Jammie Graves of Blue Ridge, GA; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 PM Wednesday, October 12, 2011 in the Chapel of Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy with Revs. Ned Golden, Warren Golden, and Steve West officiating.  Singing was the Golden Sisters and Steve Coleman.  Interment was in Peachtree Memorial Baptist Church Cemetery with military graveside rites conducted by the Murphy American Legion Post 96, Murphy DAV Chapter 73, Murphy VFW Post 10222, Hayesville American Legion Post 532, Hayesville VFW Post 6812 (Allison-Bristol), and the NC National Guard.  Pallbearers were Brian Gentry, Jeff Graves, his best friend, Robert Griggs, William and Marvin Freeman, and Mickey Anderson.  Honorary pallbearers were Mike Ellison, Floyd Worley, Gene Griggs, Andy Carmona, Barry Anderson, Roy Graves, R.G. Berry, James Messer, and Cody Golden.

The family received friends from 12:00-1:45 Wednesday afternoon at the Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy prior to the services.

The family requests memorials be made in memory of Jerry Oliver Graves to Peachtree Memorial Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Jim Hendrix, 3195 Old Peachtree Road, Murphy, NC 28906, or Grape Creek Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Marvin Schuler,  1340 Grape Creek Road, Murphy, NC 28906.

Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy in charge of all arrangements.