Search by Name
Menu
Search by Name
Joan Williams Graham, age 93, died Saturday, November 3, 2018 in Virginia Beach, Virginia surrounded by her children and friends. Born in Norfolk, Virginia, she was the daughter of the late John Newton Williams and Virginia Garrison Williams, who founded the (Garrison) Williams School, Norfolk in 1927. Joan was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Thorburn McIntosh Graham, and her sister, Virginia Williams Burton of Atlanta. Joan was a graduate of Chatham Hall School and The College of William and Mary. She made her debut with the Norfolk German Club. After serving as a first grade teacher at The (Garrison) Williams School, she became Assistant Head and finally Headmistress, a position she held from 1969 to 1981. The Williams School was the great legacy she left to the community and she was beloved by generations of students and teachers. Joan was active in the Junior League of Norfolk and Virginia Beach, Colonial Dames, Westover Garden Club, the Monday Club and several Bridge groups. Joan is survived by a daughter, Virginia Williams Graham; a son, Peter McIntosh Graham; a nephew, Jay Burton, his wife, Rosemary, their daughter, Garrison, and Rosemary’s daughter, Ashley Scott Armstrong. Joan is also survived by her nephew, Dal Burton, his wife, Adelaide, and children Dal, Adelaide, Hilliard and James. She is further survived by her niece, Caroline Payne Read and Goddaughters, Mary Dashiell and Mary Lyman Jackson. A memorial service will be held at Christ and St. Luke’s Church, 560 West Only Road, Norfolk on Sunday, Nov. 11 at 2:30 p.m., The Reverend Canon Win Lewis, Rector, will officiate assisted by the Rev. Jess Stribling and the Rev. Frances Dille. Burial will take place immediately afterwards in the Columbarium of the church. A reception will follow in the Anderson Bayview Room of Westminster Canterbury, 3100 Shore Drive, Virginia Beach, where Joan resided. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Williams School, 419 Colonial Avenue, Norfolk, VA 23507 or to Christ & St. Lukes’ Episcopal Church. H. D. Oliver Funeral Apts., Norfolk Chapel is handling arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family through www.hdoliver.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by the family.
1 Entry
My condolences on the the loss of your love one. Please take encouragement in Psalms 89:48.
November 7, 2018
Showing 1 - 1 of 1 results
Funeral services provided by:
H.D. Oliver Funeral Apartments - Norfolk Chapel1501 Colonial Avenue, Norfolk, VA 23517
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read moreWhat kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read moreWe'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read moreLegacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreThey're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read more