Joseph Dean Graves

Joseph “Joe Dean” Graves, age 83, of Tellico Plains, TN met his Savior, Friday, November 14, 2025 while surrounded by his loving family.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Zona Graves; brothers, Bud Graves, and Bill Graves; grandparents, Willie B. and Nancy Eller Queen.

He served in the U.S. Army as an Armored Intel Specialist with Troop B, Third Recon Squadron 4th Cavalry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division where he deployed to Southeast Asia. He graduated from the Tennessee Law Enforcement Academy and began his law enforcement career in the early 1970s. His career spanned more than twenty-five years and included service with the Madisonville City Police Department, Monroe County Sheriff’s Department, Athens City Police Department, the Tenth Judicial Drug Task Force, and the City of Englewood Police Department. He was also a member of several state and federal task forces and was involved in investigating numerous high-profile cases. He spent a lifetime restoring old motorcycles, antique cars, and airplanes.

He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Phyllis Pauline “Polly” Graves; sons and daughters-in-law, Ben and Brooke Graves, and Bryan and Melissa Graves; grandchildren and spouses, Grant Graves, Tasha and Matt Moser, Derrick and Ashlea Graves, Jarred Graves and Cole Sisson, Sophia Graves, Gryff Graves, Ava Graves, Bianca Graves, Pryor and Lindsey Summitt, Leslie Summitt, and Phillip Summitt; great-grandchildren, Ashtin Graves, Kade Graves, Summitt Gray, Jaylon Gray, Owen Maxwell, Oakland Maxwell, and Orison Maxwell; special family, Sandra and Billy Henry, Michelle and Darrell Davis, Eddie Crowder and family, Josephine Anderson, Rob and Amanda Debity and Rhonda Ivens; and many other family members and friends.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday, November 17, 2025 at Myers Funeral Home. The funeral service will follow at 7:00 p.m., in Myers Funeral Home Chapel with sons, Ben and Bryan Graves giving the eulogy and Rev. Larry Walker officiating. Family and friends will assemble at the funeral home at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 18, 2025. Military honors will be presented at 10:30 a.m., by Fort Campbell Military Honors. Family and friends will then proceed to Graves Family Cemetery for the committal service.