Ernest W. Graham

FUNERAL HOME

E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes & Crematory - Colonial Heights

2033 Boulevard

Colonial Heights, Virginia

Ernest Graham Obituary

Ernest William Graham, 84, of Prince George, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2008 at Chippenham Medical Center. He was born in Draper, N.C., and was the son of the late Howard and Bessie Clark Graham. Mr. Graham was a member of Calvary Baptist Church, Colonial Heights.

He was a retired veteran in the United States Army where he was awarded the Purple Heart while serving in the Philippines, and was the former owner/operator of Do-Right Carpet in Colonial Heights.

Mr. Graham is survived by his wife of 62 years, Esther T. Graham; children, Larry G. Graham (Susan) and Roger L. Graham (Alice) all of Florence, S.C., Jeff L. Graham (Carla) of Prince George, and Anthony R. "Tony" Graham (Pat) of Colonial Heights; grandchildren, Michael G. Graham (Susan), Craig L. Graham (Tiffany), Brad Graham (Joy), Anthony R. Graham II (Carla), Jennifer L. Graham (Nick), Ashley E. Graham, Alexus Graham, and Aaron Graham; four great-grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2008 in the Colonial Heights Chapel of the E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes & Crematory, 2033 Boulevard, with the Rev. Ray Haskett and the Rev. Andy Paul officiating. Interment Southlawn Memorial Park, Prince George.

The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Prince George Volunteer Fire Department, or Calvary Baptist Church, 17001 Jefferson Davis Highway, Colonial Heights, Virginia 23834. Condolences may be registered at www.ealvinsmall.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Progress-Index on Sep. 23, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Ernest Graham

8 Entries

Jim Kestner

September 23, 2008

Jeff and family, I'm sorry to hear of your loss. You're in my prayers.

Rosie Locke

September 23, 2008

My prayers are with your family. I am thankful for his service in the Philippines, where my dad also served in the U.S. Army during WWII. I am so glad I was able to meet Mr. Graham and I will always remember his smile.

SARAH BLAKENSHIP

September 23, 2008

When He Takes Me Home

Lord, I've traveled all around.
It seems I just roam
And I know there's no place like Heaven.
So, Lord, please take me home.

When this life, here on earth, is done
And there's no one left to love,
Please send my angel for this one,
To be with Thee above.

I know there's all things of beauty there,
Which seems to escapes me here.
I want to see the tree of life and a white robe wear,
And by my Savior be near.

I'd like to see Thine own garden of beauty
And all You'd have for me to do,
By Thine own side enjoy every duty
And bow at Thy feet and worship, too.

I can almost hear the angels singing
With the pure joy of it all,
When they see Thee, under Thy wing,
Bringing more souls to come to call.

Your, Secret Place Lord

Hide my sins in your secret place Lord; each one
We sin often Lord God; much to our dismay to Thy Son.
Help us to overcome each shortcoming; in life today
And find the true road to Glory Lord; one way.

Help us to turn corners gracefully Lord; in prayer
On this road to peace I know we'll find you there.
Just hide every ugly sin that’s ever been; Lord
Seems overcoming all on this old earth is rather hard.

We know though that forgiveness is in Thine own heart
And the secret hiding place shall never, ever part.
Keep us under your wing and protect each one
Keep us for Thine own self until life here is done.

Then let us hover round about Thee sweet Jesus; always
For Thy word says there will be no end; to the days.
Forever and ever we'll walk streets of gold
And in Thy name dear Master; let us be utterly bold.

Tell our neighbor about Thy loving grace; every day
Lord, that they too, might look up and find the only way.
The secret hiding place in the true and everlasting heart
And when we find this place; never, Lord let us part.

Arie Blankenship

September 23, 2008

Much love and many prayers for you all in these difficult days. He is at peace now, no more pain, no suffering.

KRISTA

September 23, 2008

A BRAND NEW DAY, LORD

Today is brand new, with sun shining so bright
I look out the window, I stand in total awe
And see the marvelous world you have made
Made with the everlasting love, not even one flaw.

You made all of this for us to enjoy
The forests, the animals, the oceans so quiet
Oh, Lord, how can we repay for the beauties we see
And the love, dear Lord, - with love you gave us life.

Let us go through this day, with prayer to you
Thanking you for all the good things you have given us!!

What is death? Some see it as departure,
never to return, anywhere!! Some see it
as a relief from their pain here. Some
see it as simply escape from the agony
of this world. And some simply refuse to
even think of it, would rather deny it.
Yet, from the moment of birth we are
destined to die..

I see death as God's reward when our
work here is done - our meeting with
the Great Almighty. What a day that
will be too. I will not call it on,
that is not my choice, it is His. But,
when He calls I will be ready. Are you?

Jesus said:
In my Father's house are many mansions:
if it were not so, I would have told you.
I go to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come again, and receive you unto
myself; that where I am, there ye may be
also. John 14:2,3.

For we know that if our earthly house of
this tabernacle were dissolved, we have
a building of God, and house not made with
hands, eternal in the heavens. --11 Cor. 5:1.

GRAHAM FAMILY

September 23, 2008

IN MY FATHER'S ARMS

Father, when day is done and all are sound asleep
I seek refuge in your loving arms and feel secure.
For many nights I have had pain and grief
And you helped me those nights to endure.

My life is not all pure and clean, as you know
But you loved me and waited till I could see,
You knew I would return, where else could I go,
There is no place like in your loving arms to be.

The tenderness and love you have shown me
None other could come close
You never left, no not even once I see
You are always there, my Heavenly Host.

You have held me and kept me safe this far,
You've sheltered me from the turmoil of life
You are my life, my brightest star.
Life is no longer toil and strife.

My Father Is Always Near

Father, when I think of all the wondrous things
You have done for me,
All the times I felt I could not go on,
And then, You were there, I could see.

I felt Your presence there to lift me up,
To help me on my way
To reassure me that You were near
And would listen to all I had to say.

Never could there be a friend,
Never one so dear as You,
I sat there and said a prayer,
That is all I had to do.

You heard my every want
You listened without a word
Then patiently You answered me
My every word was heard.

Sometimes it is not right away,
You answer what I ask
But soon You're there to help me
And my problems all are passed.

A Peaceful Walk

There's a little path
Going down in the field,
It leads into the forest
Which offers it a shield

The path will fade
As the leaves take over
The stillness there,
Is like none other

The silence of the trees
The stillness of the air
The nature all around
Is what God sent us to share!

A little farther down the way,
Is a parting, and a little brook
Where water flows so gently
Figures dance in it, if you only look.

Then staring at the trees so tall
You see the sun glimmer down
Through limbs and branches
---touching down to the ground

The walk in the woods
Has turned into a peaceful time
That leads you to see
God's loving sign,
His creation!!

To me the best time of the day is early morning,
when all is fresh and new. Yesterday is in the past
and I have a brand new day to experience. I love
to sit on my deck outside and just gaze at the hills.
There is so much peace and tranquility in the early
mornings. The fog in the hills slowly rises as the sun
peeks through, and the birds begin their day, flittering
around, in search of food and welcoming the day.
I enjoy just sitting, browsing and talking to the Lord,
and this time of the day belongs only to Him.

I have written a few poems to express early
morning feelings, and hope you enjoy them.

LET ME NOT FORGET

Dear Lord, the rush seems so never ending
The duties to do, the necessities we face
But Lord let me not forget tending
The responsibilities to You, this day.

You have always had time to help me
Whether sick, sad, or just in prayer
So let me never forget to call on you
Each day, whether in peace or despair

You are the way, the truth, and my lighthouse

Lord, please be with me today and forever.
Help me to stay on the right path, and have victory through you.

MY MORNING GREETING

Today I walked outside to meet a brand new day,
Say my morning prayer, and be closer to Thee.
What a pleasure to feel your presence, and know
You planned this day of beauty, for all to see.

With the birds out singing, and the sun shining bright
And the sweet smell of fragrant flowers in the air
It is all so lovely, a time of peace fills my heart
To know you created all of this, beauty beyond compare.

You made the day, the hour and minute to be so perfect.

Thank you, Lord!!