James Claude Graham

1947 - 2025

James Claude Graham, 78, of Murphy, passed away Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025.
James was born in Cherokee County to the late Rev. Willard Graham Sr. and Edna Garrett Graham.
He worked as a security guard at Bear Paw Resort and was an operator at the copper mines.
James loved restoring antique cars and spending time with his family, especially his grand- and great-grandchildren.
He was a member of Sunny Point Baptist Church.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Ernest and Max Graham; his sisters, Lucille Rush, Deloris Graham and Ruth Kent; and two great-grandchildren, Greyson and Parker Dillard.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Dorothy Garland Graham; his daughters, Pamela Harris (Scott), Connie Dillard (Rob) and Kristy Beaver (Tripp); his brother, Willard (Jr.) Graham; his sisters, Dorothy Roby, Patricia Forrister and Helen Murphy; his grandchildren, Jacob Harris (Kimberly), Hanna Gray (Zack), Samuel Dillard (Jewelia), Sawyer Dillard (Sarah), Noah Dillard (Katelyn), Jonah Dillard, Jesse Beaver (Grace) and Malachi Beaver (Sarah); and his great-grandchildren, Avery Dillard, Paisley Dillard, Wyatt and Knox Beaver, Haidyn Dillard, Nathaniel Harris, Phoenix Dillard, Raelyn Dillard, baby Gray and baby Beaver.
A funeral service was held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4, at Sunny Point Baptist Church with Pastors Kenneth Payne, Allen Harris and Kenny Corn officiating, and Rob Dillard officiating graveside. Music was by Heather Henderson and Allen Harris. Burial was in Sunny Point Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers were Jacob Harris, Zack Gray, Samuel Dillard, Sawyer Dillard, Noah Dillard, Jonah Dillard, Jesse Beaver, Malachi Beaver and Conor Dills.
The family received friends from 6-8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 3, at Townson-Rose Funeral Home Chapel in Murphy.
Townson-Rose Funeral Home was in charge of all arrangements.
You may send tributes to the family at townson-rose.com.