Mary Pearl Graves

Mary Pearl Graves was born in Longview, Texas on May 9, 1921 to Sudie Honea Graves and James W. Graves, Sr and died on October 3, 2020 in Dallas Texas at the age of 99. She is preceded in death by her half- brother, James W Graves, Jr. and half-sister, Sara Elizabeth Kuykendall. She is survived by a nephew, Wayne Graves; a grandniece, Dianna Martin, and a cousin, Sandra McDaniel, and her God-daughter, Sarah Laurence. Mary graduated from Longview High School in 1938. She attended business and secretarial school after graduation. During World War II, she was part of the War effort and worked in Corpus Christi. After the War, she had a variety of jobs in Dallas and ended her career as the legal secretary for 30 years to Judge Joe E. Estes.

Mary lived for over 50 years in the Lakewood area of Dallas. She sold her beloved home on Sperry Street and moved to Three Fountains Independent Living and had resided in Assisted Living at Monticello West for the last 11 months of her life.

Mary was a devoted Christian member of Highland Park United Methodist Church. Mary enjoyed organizing lunches, attending estate sales and collecting antiques, playing bridge and reading. In 2007 Mary hired Kevin Middleton, a recent evacuee of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, to assist her. Kevin became Mary’s best friend and support system for the last 13 years of her life. Kevin was introduced to Mary by Wanda Black, her friend of 80 years. Mary will be missed by her luncheon friends who consisted of Gretchen Garst, Harriet Miers, Jane Orrock, Carlyn Reding, Ann Shaw and Diane Stanford. The family would like to thank the care givers, Debra Johnson and Olga Mayes and everyone at Monticello West.

A Life Celebration® graveside service for Mary Pearl Graves, will be held at 2:00 PM Tuesday, October 6th, 2020, in the Old Summerfield Cemetery.