John R. Graham

John R. Graham, 82, of Roanoke, Va., went to be with his Lord on December 7, 2009, in his home surrounded by his loving family after bravely battling lung cancer for the past two years. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and brother. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Essie Graham; brother, Earl; and sister, Dorothy. He is survived by his wife, the former Ruby Newman, whom he married in 1946 and they were the proud parents of two loving children, Linda Myers and husband, Ralph, and John. T. Graham and wife, Berta. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Deborah Wells and husband, Blain, Vickie Craft, Katrina Colquhoun, and Allie and Sarah. Graham. He had six great-grandchildren, Katherine, Elizabeth, and Olivia Craft, Asia and Blake Sawyer, and Spencer Wells. He is also survived by sisters, Gladys Austin, Fredia Guill and husband, George, and Margaret Chumbley. Mr. Graham was a member of Rosalind Hills Baptist Church in Roanoke. As a member of the United States Navy, he served two tours of duty in World War II and Korea and was a member of The American Legion, Post #003. He loved traveling, playing golf, bicycling, hiking and camping with his family. In lieu of flowers, donation may be made in memory of Mr. Graham to Good Samaritan Hospice or The Food Pantry at Rosalind Hills Baptist Church. The family would like to thank Good Samaritan for their kind and loving care over the past several months. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. on Thursday, December 10, 2009, at Oakey's Downtown Chapel with the Rev. T. Bradley Smith of Rosalind Hills Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be held at Mountain View Cemetery in Vinton. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, December 9, 2009, from 3 to 5 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. at Oakey's Roanoke Chapel, 540-982-2100.