Joan Graves

1929 - 2023

Joan Graves
10/17/1929 - 10/05/2023
Joan Graves, age 93, of Spring Branch died peacefully on Oct. 5 while in the loving care of Timber Rock House in Midlothian, Texas. She was 12 days shy of her 94th birthday, which was fitting, as her husband of 66 years, George Graves, died a few weeks before his 91st.

The two met at Northwestern State in Natchitoches, Louisiana, where she graduated with a Bachelor's of Science in Medical Technology. They married that same summer in 1949, then moved to Houston for three years before settling in Shreveport, where all three children were born.

Joan was always a working mom, initially in various hospitals and labs until they relocated to Houston in 1961. To more successfully manage the family, she attended the University of Houston and obtained her teaching certificate in 1965. That started a long career in the Spring Branch Independent School District, first at Memorial High School and Westchester as a biology and chemistry teacher. Later, she obtained a master's at Sam Houston State and was licensed as a professional counselor in 1984, eventually transferring to Stratford in that position where she finished her career.

Neighbors will remember Joan for her snickerdoodle, tea cake and chocolate chip cookies. Neighborhood kids will remember Joan dissecting frogs and snakes for them. And many SBISD students know how hard she worked to get them into the colleges of their choice.

She was a proficient gardener, and Saturday vegetable lunches were everyone's favorite. Ever-practical, Joan had unique resolve and strength. After being bit by a copperhead one night, she proceeded to get a hoe from the garage and hunt down the snake so she could inform the hospital.

Joan and George were long-time members and supporters of St. Christopher's Episcopal Church. In their retirement years, they enjoyed outings with the church's Goats senior group and also many trips across the U.S. with close college friends.

Survivors include three children, five grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at Woodlawn Garden of Memories Cemetery, 1101 Antoine Dr., Houston, TX on Saturday, Oct. 21, at 2 p.m.