Felecia Jo Graves

Felecia Jo "Jody" Ross Graves
May 9, 1953 – June 28, 2025
Felecia Jo "Jody" Ross Graves, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, passed away on June 28, 2025, in Dallas, Texas, surrounded by her family. She was 72.
Born in Greensboro, North Carolina, Jody was the daughter of the late Tony Mack Ross and Dora Bell Ross. She graduated from James B. Dudley High School in 1971, where she was a member of the National Honor Society. She attended North Carolina A&T State University, where she played clarinet in the marching band. She had a deep love of music, especially the sounds of Luther Vandross and James Taylor.
Jody was known for her quiet warmth, sharp wit, and gentle humor. She was a friend to many and kind to all, never speaking ill of others and always ready with a clever comeback. Her love of learning and trivia was passed down to her sons and grandchildren, especially her passion for Jeopardy, Trivial Pursuit, and Scrabble.
She married Aaron Lee Graves in 1972 and lived the life of a military spouse, spending time on McChord Air Force Base, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, and Ramstein Air Base. Together, they raised two sons, Aaron and Stuart, to whom she passed on her love of cooking, music, and independence. Jody was a devoted homemaker and later worked at Merck Pharmaceuticals, as well as a shuttle driver at North Carolina A&T, where she was honored with an Award of Excellence in 2015.
She loved musicals, elephants, Egyptian art, and accessorizing with style-especially her signature Cazal glasses. Her faith guided her throughout her life. She was raised at Mount Zion Baptist Church in Greensboro, North Carolina, and later served on the usher board at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Arlington, Texas.
Jody was affectionately known as "Granny Fe" by her grandchildren, Zach and Parker, who brought her great joy. She cherished her close relationships with her sister, Antionette "Sug" Goins, and niece, Catherine Goins, and enjoyed lifelong friendships with Patricia Richmond McFoy and Kathy Rouson Hairston. She remained close to her sisters-in-law, Linda Graves Lewis, Gloria Ann Graves, and Kathryn Graves (deceased).
She is survived by her sons Aaron Leross Graves (Murphy, Texas) and Stuart Joseph Graves (Dallas, Texas); her former husband, Aaron Lee Graves; her grandchildren, Aaron Zachary and Parker Camille; her sister, "Sug" and niece, Catherine; and many beloved extended family members and friends.
Jody's legacy of kindness, humor, and love lives on in all who knew her.
A memorial service will be held on July 24 at 11 a.m. at Calvary Christian Center, 369 Air Harbor Road, Greensboro, North Carolina 27455. The family will receive friends at the church beginning at 10:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to NAMI Guilford (National Alliance on Mental Illness), P.O. Box 10557, Greensboro, NC 27404, or to a local animal shelter, in honor of her love of dogs.