Obituary for Gerald Lee Graves
Bonaire, GA – Gerald Lee Graves, 71, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at the Houston Medical Center.
Gerald was born on August 20,1949 in Raeford, NC to the late Chandler Lee Graves and Stella (Baxley) Oxendine. In 1989 Gerald lived on his own, had a 3-wheel red bicycle and worked at Pizza Hut. Gerald was defined by his abilities and personality. Everyone in Warner Robins knew him. He enjoyed people, baseball games, dancing and singing to the radio, old cars, floating in pools, dogs, smoking his pipe, playing (cheating) at cards, embellishing stories, telling a good joke and “the ladies”.
He spent Holidays with friends. He never forgot a face or name. Gerald loved to celebrate his birthdays. He was not shy about telling people what kind of cake and ice cream he wanted.
Gerald educated those around him about people with disabilities. He demonstrated how to live amplifying one’s abilities instead of being limited by disabilities. Gerald loved to be the center of attention. Over the years he maintained many long-term friendships.
As Gerald grew older, he retired from work, when he became physically frail and needed more support he moved from his apartment in with roommates. Lately, he battled COVID-19. Through it all his sense of humor remained intact.
He was preceded in death by his half brother Bobby Lee Graves and his half sister Melody Graves. Left to cherish his memory are his sisters: Virginia Taylor, Susie Chamberlin; brother: Jerry Baxley; many nieces and nephews; extended family: Suzzy Bussey, June Askew, Christopher Banks, Alfonzo Joseph, and William Hargis.
The family would like to thank all of the Abilities Discover Staff. Gerald will be missed and long remembered by all who knew and loved him.
With honor, Burpee-Scott Memorial Chapel & Crematory has been entrusted with arrangements.
Gerald was born on August 20,1949 in Raeford, NC to the late Chandler Lee Graves and Stella (Baxley) Oxendine. In 1989 Gerald lived on his own, had a 3-wheel red bicycle and worked at Pizza Hut. Gerald was defined by his abilities and personality. Everyone in Warner Robins knew him. He enjoyed people, baseball games, dancing and singing to the radio, old cars, floating in pools, dogs, smoking his pipe, playing (cheating) at cards, embellishing stories, telling a good joke and “the ladies”.
He spent Holidays with friends. He never forgot a face or name. Gerald loved to celebrate his birthdays. He was not shy about telling people what kind of cake and ice cream he wanted.
Gerald educated those around him about people with disabilities. He demonstrated how to live amplifying one’s abilities instead of being limited by disabilities. Gerald loved to be the center of attention. Over the years he maintained many long-term friendships.
As Gerald grew older, he retired from work, when he became physically frail and needed more support he moved from his apartment in with roommates. Lately, he battled COVID-19. Through it all his sense of humor remained intact.
He was preceded in death by his half brother Bobby Lee Graves and his half sister Melody Graves. Left to cherish his memory are his sisters: Virginia Taylor, Susie Chamberlin; brother: Jerry Baxley; many nieces and nephews; extended family: Suzzy Bussey, June Askew, Christopher Banks, Alfonzo Joseph, and William Hargis.
The family would like to thank all of the Abilities Discover Staff. Gerald will be missed and long remembered by all who knew and loved him.
With honor, Burpee-Scott Memorial Chapel & Crematory has been entrusted with arrangements.