RICHARD C. GRAHAM

Richard C. Graham of White Plains died on Monday, August 30, 2004. He was born on May 27, 1926 in Memphis, Tennessee, the son of Herman R. Graham and Odessa Wagner Graham. He was the fourth of six children. Richard was the husband of the late Betty J. Graham. He spent his earliest years in Memphis, and later moved with his family to New York City. He graduated from New York's Washington Irving High School, attended Mercy College and served in the U.S. Army in Guam, the Philippines, Korea and Japan. He married Betty J. Walker on February 14, 1954, in Chicago. After living in Mt. Vernon, they moved to White Plains in 1967, where they raised two sons, Richard and Lawrence. His wife was a columnist with the Gannett Newspapers and the author of many articles and books on social work and parenting. In addition to working with his family's Memphis-owned trucking business and managing family-owned properties, Richard previously worked in the New York City Fire Department and the U.S. Post Office. In more recent years, he worked as a financial administrator in his son's White Plains office. Richard was a 33rd degree Mason, past Master of Lodge #107 of the Prince Hall Masons, served on the board of the White Plains Health Fair, Inc. and had been an active member of Grace Episcopal Church in White Plains and, with his wife, an active participant in the Links and Jack & Jill of America. Richard is predeceased by his wife Betty, and by two brothers, Leotha and Lafayette, and by one sister, Blanche Edwards of Memphis. He is survived by a sister, Florine Johnson, of Brooklyn; and by a brother, Searcy of both Brooklyn and White Plains, and by his sons Dr. Richard E. Graham of Harrison and Lawrence Otis Graham Esq. of Chappaqua. He is also survived by his niece, Robbie Jean Walker of Brooklyn, New York; cousins Rebe Davis and Charles Graham in Memphis. He has four grandchildren and several cousins in New York, Memphis, Los Angeles and Cleveland. A Wake service will take place Friday 9-10:45 am and be followed by a Funeral Service Thursday at 11 am, both at Grace Episcopal Church, 33 Church Street, White Plains. Interment will follow at Ferncliff Cemetery, Hartsdale, NY. There will be a reception at the church after the interment. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to United Negro College Fund, P.O. Box 10444, Fairfax, Virginia 22031; or Jack & Jill Foundation, 1930 17th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009. (Lee's Funeral Home in White Plains is handling arrangements.)