Billie Ruth Graves

Billie Ruth Graves, age 88, born in Itawamba County, MS and a resident of Fountain City, passed away on June 22, 2025. A devoted member of Fountain City United Methodist Church, Mrs. Graves joined the congregation in 1945 and remained active throughout her life. She served faithfully with the United Methodist Women for over 60 years and was a dedicated member of the Christian Home Builders class. Mrs. Graves retired after a 40-year career at the office of Doctors Earl Keister, Robert Sterling, and Mark Biagi. Mrs. Graves found great joy in gardening, but her greatest passion was always her family, whom she loved and cared for deeply. Her legacy of faith, service, and love will be cherished by all who knew her. Mrs. Graves was preceded in death by her father, T.O. "Schump" Schumpert, her mother, Lucille "Lucy" Schumpert, and her husband of 68 years, William "Fred" Graves, Jr. Mrs. Graves is survived by her brother, Tom Schumpert and wife Charlotte Schumpert and brother, R.B. Schumpert and wife Susan Schumpert; her brother-in-law, Tom Graves, her son, David Graves and wife Nancy Graves, her daughter, Debra Parks and husband Mitchell Parks; grandchildren, Casey Johnson and husband Bryan Johnson, Tyler Parks and wife McCauley Parks, Gregg Graves, and Brad Parks and wife Valerie Parks; great-grandchildren, Madison Parks, Regan Robbins, Brooks Johnson, Lucy Johnson, Weston Parks, and Beau Parks; nieces and nephews, Kim Schumpert, Amy Schumpert, Laura Raney and husband Mick Raney, and Scott Schumpert and wife Sally Schumpert. The family of Mrs. Graves extends their heartfelt gratitude to the staffs of Windsor Ridge and Emory Ridge care facilities for the compassionate support and loving attention provided to her in her final years. The family will receive friends on Saturday, June 28, 2025, from 11:00am – 12:00pm at Fountain City United Methodist Church with a service to follow thereafter conducted by Bishop David Graves and Rev. Dr. Don Hanshew. Family and friends will then gather at Lynnhurst Cemetery at 3:00pm for a graveside service. In Lieu of flowers donations can be made to Fountain City United Methodist Church. Gentry-Griffey Funeral Chapel is honored to serve the Graves family and invites you to sign the online registry at www.gentrygriffey.com.