James Earl "Jimmy" Graves

James Earl “Jimmy” Graves, 82, passed away Thursday, March 7, 2024 at his home surrounded by his family.  Jimmy had been in declining health for 9 years.  He was born on July 31, 1941 in Alamance County to the late Earl Columbus Graves and Gertrude Cole Graves and was the husband of 55 years to the late Norma Jean Bishop Graves who died in 2016.

 Jimmy retired at the age of 75, after 30 years with Elon University as the Presidents Special Assistant and Physical Plant. He had formerly worked at Burlington Industries for 25 years before working at Elon. Jimmy grew up at Low’s Lutheran Church but was a member of Friendship Church where he served on several committees through the years. He enjoyed rabbit hunting with his beagle dogs, fishing and wood working. But most of all he loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandsons. Jimmy was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend who will be dearly missed.

 He is survived by his two sons and daughters-in-law, Stacey and Beth Graves, Travis and Robin Graves; grandchildren, Ashley Graves Hackett and husband Ryan, James Graves and wife Anna, Amanda Graves Smith and husband Camron and Alex Cauthren; great grandsons, Hunter Hackett and Drake Hackett, and numerous nieces and nephews. Jimmy was preceded in death by his wife, parents and a sister, Dorinda Graves Kelly.

 The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to all of Jimmy’s caregivers, Teresa Bell Locklear, Christina Bullard and the Hospice staff, for all their loving support and care that was shown to Jimmy during his illness and to the wonderful support that was shown to the family.

 The funeral service to celebrate the life of Jimmy will be held at 3:00pm Sunday, March 10, 2024 at Friendship Church by Rev. Mike Kelly, with the burial to follow in the church cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 4pm to 6pm Saturday at Lowe Funeral Home & Crematory and other times at the residence.

 In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation, P.O. Box 780, New York, NY 10008 or AuthoraCare, 914 Chapel Hill Road, Burlington, NC 27215 or to Friendship Church, 4612 Friendship Patterson Mill Rd., Burlington, NC 27215.  You may sign the online register book at www.lowefuneralhome.com.