Thomas Graves

Tommy H. Graves arrived at his heavenly home on April 26, 2019. He was born on June 2, 1946 to Hugh and Viola Graves. He attended Roswell High School and served in the U.S. Navy. Tommy was a retired paint contractor. He played guitar, mandolin, and had a Hank Williams style in sound and appearance. He loved Blue Grass music and his Bluegrass family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Sharon Graves and his nephew Tim Smith.
He is survived by his wife Oretta of Roswell and his little girl dog Bella, his brother Bobby and wife Yvonne Graves of Roswell and his sister Debra Smith of Ruidoso, his brother-in-law and life-long friend Elmer Whitehead, Jr. and wife Lawanna of Kingston, Oklahoma. His daughters Jennifer and husband Rankin Harvey of Frisco, Colorado and Janell Loving of Albuquerque, Stepchildren, Dan Letcher of Las Cruces, Jamie and Jeff Martin of Hebron, Kentucky and Jodie Nichols of Alamogordo. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He adored his seven grandchildren and had an endearing nickname for each of them: Maisie Cate Harvey of Frisco, Colorado, Rochelle and husband Cody Bartlett of Roswell, Julia Martin and her fiancée Chase Hudson of Hebron, Kentucky, Erica and Madison Parsons of Alamogordo, and Jenna and Jaden Martin of Hebron, Kentucky.
LaGrone Funeral Chapel will be open for viewing on Tuesday, April 30, 2019 from 1-5 p.m. Pastor Pete Crook will officiate services at 10:30am on Wednesday, May 1, 2019 at McBride Veterans Cemetery, 3101 South Main, Roswell, NM with a lunch to follow at Bethel Baptist Church, 2420 N. Garden, Roswell, NM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to North American Mission Board c/o Bethel Baptist Church.
The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to Dr. Akbar Ali and the nurses in ICU at ENMMC for their compassion and care of Tommy.
Honorary pallbearers: P.T. Foster, Dave Partain, Mike Gallagher, Don Smith, Mike Perry, Pinky McDaniel, Robert Johnson, Pete Stull, and Kyle Ramage.
Tommy had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and now has continued that relationship in Heaven. He was an active member of Bethel Baptist Church. Tommy loved us all deeply and had a quick wit that made us all laugh. He never took life too seriously. We will miss you, Tommy Graves, and we will smile when we think of you.

Visitation

LaGrone Funeral Chapel
900 South Main
Roswell, NM  88203
Tuesday, April 30, 2019
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Service

Graveside Service

General Douglas L. McBride Veteran Cemetery
3103 S. Main St.
Roswell, NM  88203
Wednesday, May 1, 2019
10:30 AM

Cemetery

General Douglas L. McBride Veterans Cemetery-South Park
3101 South Main Street
Roswell, NM  88203