David Alan Graves Sr.

 

            David Alan Graves Sr., 70, of Lerona passed away Saturday April 15, 2023 at Bowers Hospice House following a long illness.

            Born June 20, 1952 at Brattleboro, VT he was the son of the late Frances Reome and Alice Rena Graves Shippee and stepfather Thurman Grayson Shippee.  David served his country during the Vietnam War in the United States Air Force as a long-range radar technician, a former minister at Faith Outreach Ministries in Lerona since 1997, worked as parts technician for 16 years with Caterpillar in NC, former security guard at Pipestem State Park, former employee for the Mercer County Board of Education and was a leather craftsman for over 45 years.

            Preceded in death by one granddaughter, Leandra Belle Graves and one brother, Dana Wayne Shippee.

            Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of fifty years, Dorothea Jean Chamberlain Graves; one daughter, Jodi Lynn Graves of Princeton; two sons, David Alan Graves Jr. and wife Sherry of Lerona and Anthony John Sweetser and wife Heather of Lerona; four grandchildren, Jordan and Madison Graves, Tanya Sweetser and Dustin Graves; three sisters, Elizabeth Bonnett of Kissimmee, FL, Linda Reid and husband Peter of Shelbourne Falls, MA and Lisa Shippee and husband David Magnant of Brattleboro, VT; five brothers, Thurman Shippee and wife Yvonne of Dummerston, VT, Todd Shippee and wife Valerie of Peru, NY, Dean Shippee and companion Angela Given of Vernon, VT, Scott Shippee and wife Maxine of New Hampshire and Mark Shippee and companion Shelly Mattson Clark of Moultonborough, NH; along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

            Funeral services will be held 12:00 pm Thursday April 20, 2023 at the Ronald Meadows Funeral Parlors Chapel with Pastors Sandy and Rick Whittaker officiating.  Visitation will be from 10:30 am until service time on Thursday at the funeral parlors. 

            At David’s request cremation will take place following the service.