Cheryl Rae Graham

Cheryl Rae Graham, 69, Holts Summit, MO., passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on September 24, 2025, at SSM St. Mary's Hospital in Jefferson City, MO. She was born on November 10, 1955, in Jefferson City, MO., to the late Charles "Corky" Melton and Idabelle Melton (Elder). On February 27, 1999, she was united in marriage to Billy Joe Graham in Jefferson City, MO., who survives at the home.


Cheryl was a fanatical Kansas City Chiefs fan her entire life. She rarely missed watching a game. She was also an avid Kansas City Royals fan. In her spare time, she loved bowling, cooking, music, and spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren who were the light of her life.


She was a 1976 graduate of Jefferson City High School, where she was a proud member of the Jayettes. She was then employed at West Gate Lanes, Florsheim Shoes, Best Western, and at several restaurants locally as a waitress and cook before she retired.


She grew up at Calvary Baptist Church and was most recently a member of Union Hill Baptist Church.

In addition to her husband: Billy Graham; Cheryl is survived by five children: Michael Melton (Angela Deppe) of Holts Summit, MO., Staci Barrett of Fulton, MO., Chris Ousley (Amanda Shoults-Ousley) of Holts Summit, MO., Matthew Ousley of Jefferson City, MO and Ashley Ousley (Dale Herzing) of Panama City, FL. She is also survived by her grandchildren Mariah Ousley, Trent Miller, Devin Miller, Austin Hoyt, Damon Melton, Dolan Melton, Jamie Melton, Skyler Ousley, Alexis Waldrop, Layden Waldrop, and Tristen Ousley-Kavanaugh. Great grandchildren: Bentley Holman (her "Bennie"), Cooper Holman, and Paisley Rubio.

She was preceded in death by her parents, the late Charles "Corky" and Idabelle Melton and sister Christy Melton.

Her family would like to recognize the nurses and doctors at St. Mary's ICU. Thank you to Annie, Stacy, and Jenn and every other person who attended to Cheryl during her extended stay in the ICU. She was as comfortable as she was because of your compassion and hard work. We will never be able to thank you enough.


Visitation for Cheryl will be from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at Calvary Baptist Church located at 1436 Hough Street in Jefferson City, MO.


A Memorial Service will occur at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at Calvary Baptist Church, Jefferson City, MO, with the Pastor Michael Koelling officiating. We encourage all who attend to wear their Chiefs gear or red, white and black as she would want us all to support her team.

Graveside services will follow immediately after at Riverview Cemetery in Jefferson City, MO.


In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to the family in care of the funeral home.


Arrangements for Mrs. Graham are under the direction of TYLER M. WOODS FUNERAL DIRECTOR, 611 E. Capitol Ave. Jefferson City, Missouri 65101. (573) 636-2424.