Artis Lee "Friday" Graves

Artis Lee "Friday" Graves, age 92, of Glenwood passed away on Saturday, October 28, 2023.

He was born on February 24, 1931 in Pine Bluff. He was the son of Roy Frank Graves, Sr. and Estelle Ryals Graves. He was preceded in death by his parents; his two brothers, Roy Frank Graves, Jr. and Ralph Graves; his sister, Earlene Graves Moyer; his son, Artis Gene Graves; his grandson, Micah Graves; his two daughters-in-law, Brenda Graves and Donna Graves; and his granddaughter-in-law, Alicia Graves.

On November 12, 1955, Lee married the love of his life, Allie Mae Carter in the First Baptist Church in Taos, New Mexico. He was Baptist in his faith. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and father-in-law. He was a member of the Glenwood Masonic Lodge #662, a 32nd degree mason. In his lifetime he worked at many jobs from picking cotton with his family as a child to owning his own trucking company with his sons. Upon retirement he and Allie started A&A Wrecker and Repair Service, now owned by his sons, Gary and Mike Graves. Their family has owned it for thirty-one years. He loved deer hunting and enjoyed fishing. When his three sons were young and loved building and racing stock cars, especially with his youngest son, Gene Graves. He had a special love for riding Harleys and as a young man, loved riding his horse, Prince. Above all these things he loved his family and we will miss him so very much. Lee was the patriarch of the Graves family.

He is survived by his wife of almost 68 years, Allie Mae Graves of Glenwood; his two sons and daughter-in-law, Gary Lee Graves and Terry Michael and Mona Graves all of Glenwood; his two daughters-in law, Shawna Graves of Amity and Denise Chamberlin of Hollywood; his sister, Carol Jean Mathis of Poyen; his two sisters-in-law, Effie (Red) Romero of Taos, New Mexico and Dorlas Graves of Kalama, Washington; his nine grandchildren, Mathew Graves, Sunny (Mitch) Herman, AubryAnn Reynolds, Mariko (Brent) Wiles, Bobby (Brandi) Graves, Cassandra Graves, Liz (Caleb) Jackson, Paul (Ceirra) Burns, Jr., and Shayna (Tim) Knoll; eighteen great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, and a host of wonderful friends.

 

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM, Thursday, November 2, 2023, in the Smith Family Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Jeremy Graves officiating.

Visitation will be held 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM, Wednesday, November 1, 2023 in the Smith Family Funeral Home Chapel, 209 North 3rd Street, Glenwood, AR 71943.

Interment will be in the Nelson Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Daniel Rodgers, Aaron Crow, Chris Tigue, Rodney Tigue, Keith Horn, Kelly Horn, Alan Moore, and Jeremy Taylor.

 

Guest Registry can be found at www.smithfamilycares.com