Jerome Raymond Graves

Jerome Raymond Graves was born on July 1, 1955, in Petersburg, Virginia, to Raymond and Naomi Graves.
He departed this life on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, with his family by his side. He accepted the Lord Jesus Christ in his life at an early age. In 1973, he graduated from Central High School in Sussex County, Virginia now known as Sussex Central High School. He attended Virginia State University before he decided to join the Air Force. Jerome was dedicated to serving his country in the Air Force as SSgt Element Leader Instructor C-130E, 61st Airlift Squadron, 31st Airlift Wing, Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas. It was during his time in Arkansas, he met and married Dennyse Hendrix. They were married for 28 years and continued to have a good friendship until his passing. They had one child, Krisharna. Jerome was a proud father and grandfather.
He was an avid jazz collector and classic movie buff. He loved customizing antique and new vehicles.
Jerome spent his largest deployment in Europe. He had various missions to Turkey and Africa to support humanitarian efforts and received several awards for his missions. He retired from the military in 1994. He continued to work for companies such as Lockheed Martin Middle East Services, Dassault Falcon Jet (AR), High Winds Aviation (CO) Raytheon (TX), Decrane Aircraft (DE) Bombardier Aerospace (FL, AZ, CA), and Midcoast Aviation (MO).
He was preceded in death by his parents Raymond and Naomi Graves, and his sister Dorothy E. Brown.
He leaves to cherish his memory his daughter, Krisharna (Matthew) Graves-Blackman, three grandchildren: Kosbie Graves, Xavier Graves, and Madyson Blackman of Jacksonville, Arkansas, and Dennyse Simpson, a host of nieces and nephews, other relatives, and friends.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 at 9:00am with a funeral service starting at 10:00am in the chapel at A Natural State Funeral Service in Jacksonville, Arkansas. Interment to follow at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock.
Arrangements by A Natural State Funeral Service 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas 72076. 501-982-3400. Online guestbook available at www.anaturalstatefuneralservice.com