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Lonnie Graves Obituary
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JOHN DRAKE SR
July 29, 2024
Pastor Lonnie Graves I still miss you and I know you have met my wife THERESA DRAKE because she passed away on 12/18/2023 from end stage renal failure and natural causes . Please take care of THERESA and tell her that Me and Johnny miss her. I know she still loves ❤ me. See you in heaven and THERESA. LOVE ❤ YOU AND THERESA.
Julian McLaurin
October 7, 2023
I'm 73 years old. I attended Fellowship Freewill Baptist church with Brother Lonnie, as he was known. This was in the early 1960s.. He spoke at my mother's funeral in 1985. It was there that i accepted christ into my life.
JOHN R DRAKE SR
August 12, 2023
PASTOR LONNIE GRAVES I STILL MISS YOU AND I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT I'M HAPPY I'VE BEEN MARRIED 30YRS AND I HAVE TWO BOYS AND I JUST WANTED TO LET YOU'RE FAMILY KNOW THAT I WILL NEVER FORGET YOU .
Debbie Wheeler
July 29, 2022
Your legacy is the way you raised and loved your daughters, especially Sharon. She has been my inspiration both personally and spiritually, often quoting you, her beloved daddy. Can´t wait to see you again!
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John Drake
July 29, 2021
Pastor Lonnie Graves it's hard to believe you've been gone for 5yrs now and I still miss you. Well I will always remember you and hope me and my family Theresa, Johnny, & Christopher see you in heaven someday.Many thanks to you and my church family at Fellowship Baptist Church. Miss you Pastor Graves. As always RIP Miss you
John Drake
August 9, 2020
Lonnie Graves was the pastor that saved me when I was younger and I'll never forget him. Miss you Pastor Lonnie Graves. Keep a spot for me and my family when we shall meet again in heaven. AMEN
Iris Evans
October 2, 2016
It's amazing how you can meet someone who just touches your life so! Just Dr. Graves' testimony, alone, was one of the most powerful testimonies I've ever heard. "The Life of A Gypsy", allowed me to see just how powerful God's grace and mercy really is. All because God allowed ONE SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER in the life of our beloved....then...JESUS. Jesus is the only one who could transform a young gypsy into a believer...a believer into a pastor and then a pastor who was the founder of Fellowship Baptist Church of Durham, NC. Wow, all I can say is thank you, Lord. Thank you for your grace and your mercy. Thank you for allowing such a kind Christian to have touched the lives of my family and me. It was just for a little while, but it was righteous....there are no coincidences with God. Thank you, Lord.--Elliott "Fox", Iris Gail Evans and Children.
MB Knight
August 9, 2016
Lonnie Graves family. Sending deepest sympathy re the loss of your loved one. I am interested in buying the book, "Life of A Gypsy" that was written by Lonnie Graves. I see on the internet it is out of print. Is there someway, I can, perhaps find someone who is willing to sell me an old one?
[email protected]
August 8, 2016
Vicky: I use to play with you when you lived 2 houses from me on Carter Ave. Goldie use to call mama (Mary Thompson) and say, "Call Faye home, she's driving me crazy". (I was VERY active). Preacher Hardee lived across the street from us. I believe this was before Bro. Lonnie started preaching. I must have been 7-8 years old and I'll be 71 in December. Nancy Strickland and I have known Jimmy for many years because he and his brother lived down the road from Nancy. He knows my siblings; James, Sonja, and me (Faye) Thompson. Bro. Lonnie married Billy and me when the church was at Catsburg in 1971. We heard him and other great preachers, Rices, Maze Jackson, etc. for years at his Church. Then we had Happi and Forrest and it was too much trouble to drive the 35 minutes to Durham. We live in Chapel Hill. So we started going to Billy's home church down the road from us. But nothing was like going to Bro. Lonnie's and have Norman Adams leading the music. Thurmon Head, etc. singing solos. I haven't seen you since we were about 8-9 years of age, but I do remember you were so sweet, easy going and soft spoken. I'm sure you have not changed.
May the Lord comfort you and yours at this time. Faye (Thompson) Blackwood
Richard and Sue Browning
August 7, 2016
It is hard to not feel like I need to write a book to truly say just how much Mr. and Mrs. Graves have meant to us through the years. We are so thankful he was our pastor, but we are equally grateful that they have been our friends. We cherish ALL the wonderful memories we have, too numerous to count. One of the Preacher's favorite sayings was, "We've only one life; it will soon be past. Only what's done for Christ will last." His life was certainly busy, fulfilling and rewarding, but now that it is past,we can all see the lasting, eternal results of his many years of work for the LORD. There is no doubt that his life made a difference to so many. The Good Lord must have said, "WELL DONE, WELCOME HOME!" Mrs. Graves, We love you and the family, and please know you are all in our prayers. I miss our phone calls. May God Bless.
Janice House Hill
August 6, 2016
So sorry to hear of the passing of Bro. Lonnie. I remember hearing him preach and share his testimony when I was a teenager. I was blessed to be a part of his ministry at Fellowship Christian School. Heaven is sounding sweeter all the time. Praying for Mrs. Goldie and the family.
August 6, 2016
To the Graves Family,
I am very sorry for your loss. You will be in my thoughts and prayers during this time.
~Evelyon Seagroves and Family
Ron & Barbara Dail
August 6, 2016
Mrs. Goldie, Vickie, Sharon and family, we send our love and prayers to you today. Heaven is even sweeter today due to the homegoing of Bro. Lonnie. Many are there because of his ministry and he had a a tremendous impact on our family. We love all of you and wish we could be with you, but due to Ron's health we are unable to travel. All of you will always have a special place in our hearts.
beatrice dail
August 6, 2016
Bro Lonnie was a good preacher
He preached the true word. I know he is with Lord . May God bless the family
Betty and Bobby Corbett
August 5, 2016
Vicki, Jimmy and Family - So sorry to hear about your Dad. You will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Dave & Chris Steenback
August 5, 2016
Our thoughts and prayers are with Goldie and the family. We know that Bro. Lonnie is with the Lord and we rejoice in that fact. In Christ, Dave and Chris Steenback
Van & Pam Hursey
August 5, 2016
Mrs.Goldie & Family: "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints" Psalm 116:15. Pastor Lonnie will be greatly missed on this earth - but never forgotten. What a blessing he was to us over the years at BBC. Prov. 28:1a describes Pastor Lonnie well: "The righteous are bold as a lion" and truly Pastor Lonnie you were.
The soulwinners crown awaits you. All our love & prayers/Psalm 23
Bernice and Sandra Rigsbee
August 5, 2016
Bernice and I are so sorry for the loss of your father and Goldie's husband, and our former pastor. We love all of you and and we are praying for comfort and peace for you. I bet Pastor Lonnie is still praising Jesus. He is a happy man!
John OLive
August 5, 2016
50 years ago to day Rev Lonnie Graves married Donna and I I have known him all my life Rest in Peace you deserve it.
mary rigsbee
August 5, 2016
Bro Lonnie led me to Christ over forty years ago.He also married to my darling Jack Rigsbee preacher his funeral as well as my fathers Dewitt Fulcher who he also led to Christ.I thank God for him. To his family i am so sorry for your loss but you know its heaven gain. I send you all my prayers and my love to all of you he was a great man of God.
Kimberly Johnson Caddell
August 5, 2016
Condolences for Mrs.Graves and the family. Bro. Lonnie was a great man of God. I attended both the original school and church growing up and it made a profound difference in my life. I was saved as a teenager there and I thank God all the time for Bro. Lonnie and the blessing of FBC in my life. I am so thankful to have known this wonderful man of God.
mary rigsbeee
August 5, 2016
Heaven is a little brighter for Lonnie Graves has gone there.
Mickie Shepard
August 5, 2016
Thank you for your service and faithfulness to our Lord. I celebrate 50 years of salvation because of it.My prayers to the family at this time.
Mrs Sandra Hall
August 4, 2016
I know Bro Lonnie is rejoicing in heaven with our Lord, but I also realize that he certainly will be missed by you all and many others. So sorry for your loss.
Larry and Carol Leffers
August 4, 2016
Thanking this dear man of God for all he has given. It was under his ministry that we were saved and married. You helped make us what we are today. Prayers going out to the family. Bro. Lonnie was a wonderful and Godly man.
Lori Leeds
August 4, 2016
Condolences for his entire family! I went to school their for 2 years!!
August 4, 2016
Sharon and Family - I am so sorry for the loss of your father. He will be remembered as a wonderful man of faith. Praying for you to have comfort during this time of grief. Debbie Wheeler, Franklinton, NC
Deb Melvin
August 4, 2016
My condolences to Goldie, Vicki, Sharon & family. I'm so honored to have been under Preacher Lonnie's ministry. His love for God directly impacted my life.
What a joy to know him & love him.
God bless you &bring much comfort.
Cecil Johnson
August 4, 2016
RIP Uncle Lonnie your sermons will forever live in my soul.
Me at 19 years of age
Preston Stansbury
August 4, 2016
My deepest sympathies and condolences to the family.
Michael Clemons
August 4, 2016
A true man of God who loved the lord
Bernie Allison
August 4, 2016
Praying for the family to give the strength
Kim Hudson Foreman
August 4, 2016
My sincere condolences go out to Goldie, Sharon, Vicky & family. Bro. Lonnie was a part of my life from the time I was born through my adult life. I was saved in Jr. Church & baptized by him when the church was on Hamlin Rd & attended school there also. I will always remember him & his love for people. He will be truly missed, but never forgotten.
Lorrie Walker-Atwater
August 4, 2016
Bother Lonnie left a life of ministry and service that will never be forgotten. He was my pastor for many years and a guiding force in my life and the lives of my family. May God bring peace and comfort to Mrs. Goldie, the girls and family.
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1105 Broad Street PO Box 2913 (zip 27715), Durham, NC 27705
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