Marion Graves Obituary

Name: Service for Marion Graves
Start: 2015-03-21T19:30:00.000Z
Location: Walnut Hill Church

GRAVES Marion Hale "Shug" Gregory (Pettit), a longtime supporter of arts organizations in Lexington, partner in the business Cabbages & Kings in Chevy Chase, and former first lady of Lexington, passed away after a long illness on February 25th, 2015. She was 83. "Shug" was born March 22, 1931 in Mayfield, Kentucky to Marion Hale and Noble J. Gregory. Her childhood was spent in her native Mayfield and in Washington, D. C., where her father served as Congressman representing Kentucky's First District for 22 years. She graduated from the Holton Arms School in 1948 and attended Sweet Briar College and the University of Kentucky, where she earned a bachelor's degree in Political Science in 1952. She then worked for the C.I.A. in its first years and pursued graduate level study in political science at Columbia University in New York City. She was at CBS News, where she helped produce Face the Nation from the network's Washington Bureau, when in 1957 she married H. Foster Pettit, who was to become Mayor of Lexington. After moving to Lexington in 1962, she became a strong supporter of the arts. She served as an early and longtime supporter of the Living Arts & Science Center, the UK Art Museum and Arts Place, which subsequently became LexArts. Along with friends and partners, Shug founded and managed Cabbages & Kings, a home accessory and cooking shop in Chevy Chase for 25 years. In 1981, she married Charles P. Graves, Sr. founding Dean of UK's School of Architecture. During their 20-year marriage they savored great travels, great friends, and an abiding love. Surpassing all other interests, however, was her devotion to her four sons, their families and her many friends. She is survived by three sons; Noble Gregory Pettit of Lexington; Harrison Foster Pettit, Jr. (Lisa Pearlstein) of Portland, Oregon; Van Meter Pettit (Linda Blackford) of Lexington and five grandsons, Addison and Cassius Pettit of Portland, Oregon and Staige, Hale and Hart Mason Pettit of Lexington. She was preceded in death by her husband Charles P. Graves, Sr. and a son, Hale Pettit. Services will be held at 3:30pm on Saturday March 21, 2015 at Walnut Hill Church, 575 Walnut Hill Rd., followed by a 5pm reception at the Lexington Club, 170 Esplanade. Donations in her memory may be made to the Living Arts & Science Center, 362 North MLK Blvd, Lexington, KY 40508, or to Moveable Feast, 474 Silver Maple Way, Lexington, KY 40508. www.milwardfuneral.com

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Published by Lexington Herald-Leader on Feb. 27, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Marion Graves

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11 Entries

Ida Elliott

March 22, 2015

Marion was a great lady,friend and patient of mine. Words cannot describe our connection,which continued after I was her nurse. I will miss her so much. She will remain in my heart and mind forever.

March 8, 2015

Noble indeed, and in thought, rest in peace dear Lady of Lexington

Betty Webb

March 7, 2015

Shug's open-minded spark and color set the tone for downtown Lexington in the 70's and 80's. She was an essential part of my joy in living here through those interesting times...and she is bound to be shaking things up wherever she is headed!

Linda Carey

March 2, 2015

Shug was at once warm,funny,acerbic,kind and smart ...proud of her Western Kentucky roots....truly a Kentucky lady.

February 28, 2015

I'm a better person for having known Shug. She was a generous, fun-loving spirit, an "Auntie Mame". Love and good thoughts. Judy Carmichael

February 28, 2015

My Democrat buddy at Homewood. I gave her a yellow dog Democrat mug one time and she loved it. She always wanted it said about herself! , "she never voted for a Republican". We had many fun chats.

Donna Elder

February 27, 2015

Lexington is a better place because of Shugg Petite Graves.

Zandy Campbell

February 27, 2015

Loved Mrs. Graves like my other mother. In fact, I probably spent more time at her house! Gregory, Harrison, Hale, and Van Meter are as much my family as anyone. She is the brightest lady with whom I have ever been acquainted. I will miss her terribly. Zandy Campbell

Diane Gess Alverson

February 27, 2015

Thinking of you all and remembering what a wonderful life she lived with each and every one of you.

Lindsay & Susan Harp

February 27, 2015

Susan and I send our condolences to Gregory, Harrison and Van Meter and their families and thanks for all their love and care given to Shug. She was one of mother's and my favorites and always cordial greetings; her footprints still remain at the home place. She was always warm and friendly to our family and I will always have a special memory of her. Her attached picture looks so much like her mother to me as I remember.

Weather and timing may prevent me from attending the services on Saturday, but our love is extended to you all.

February 27, 2015

Will miss her dry wit and brilliant mind. Sarah Davis

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