Melinda Smart Graves

Our beloved, selfless, caring, playful, brilliant, brave wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend Melinda died at home February 24, 2025. She had been in hospice care for dementia.
Melinda Smart Graves was born August 4, 1950 to William B. Smart and Donna Toland Smart. She loved her childhood in the Federal Heights neighborhood of Salt Lake City and spoke fondly of her school years, especially at Stewart School and East High. After she graduated from East, she earned her B.A. in English from Brigham Young University. She taught school for several years, particularly to homebound children.
In the summer of 1976, she met Steven William Graves and they began their friendship over Christmas break that same year, followed by a courtship that proceeded primarily via long calls and letters after he returned to grad school in Connecticut. She agreed to marry him over the phone the following May and they were married on October 21, 1977 in the Salt Lake City Temple, 10 days after Steve defended his dissertation, had it accepted and returned home.
Steve and Melinda made their first home in Somerville, Massachusetts. They then lived for two years in St. Louis, Missouri where sons Nathaniel and David were born, before returning to Massachusetts. Their family grew with daughter Hannah, son Seth, and daughter Eliza. The family made their home in the South Shore of Massachusetts until 1998 when they moved to Utah to be closer to extended family.
Melinda then pursued her certification as an ESL teacher and worked at Provo High as an aide in the ESL classroom for many years. At age sixty she was diagnosed with and underwent treatment for breast cancer with her characteristic humility and strength.
Melinda had a lifelong love of the outdoors and spent many happy hours enjoying places like the tidepools near Cohasset in Massachusetts, the red rock landscapes of Utah, Bear Lake and the Albion Basin. She loved hiking and nature walks throughout her life. She also enjoyed gardening.
Melinda was a creative force, with a talent for writing, art, and crafts of various kinds. She filled her children's childhoods with imagination and energy. She was a great cook, ahead of her time and broadening her children's palates from young ages. She was kind and generous, taking in many strays (both animal and human) throughout her life. She was sweet and bright and funny. Despite being a self-described introvert who could "happily live alone in a cave," she knew how to connect with people and was a fiercely loyal friend, staying in touch with people from childhood, high school, and neighbors throughout her life.
She also deeply cared for and was totally dedicated to her family. She stayed close with her parents, particularly her mother who died just last year, and enjoyed little more than spending time with them, her children, grandchildren, siblings, nieces/nephews, great-nieces/nephews, cousins, etc. all her life.
Melinda knew how to have fun! She always had ideas for games and activities at family nights or family reunions. She was the sort of (grand)mother who would get down on the floor to play and would always light up at the chance to exchange silly faces or noises with a baby.
She was committed to following the teachings of Jesus Christ and serving others. She sought after the lost sheep, comforted those who stood in need of comfort, and lived her beliefs without judgment or condescension toward others. She was a life-long, fully active member of of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
She will be deeply missed by those who survive her: husband, Steven W. Graves whose devoted caretaking these past few years is a testament to their loving partnership, sons Nate
(Brenna) and Seth (Lizzy), daughters Hannah (Spencer Kingman) and Eliza (Stephen Wagner), her grandchildren–Sidera, Theda, Greyson, Ramona, Oscar, Rowan and Dahlia–her siblings, nieces/nephews, other family members, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and her son David.
Funeral service for Melinda will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at 11:00 am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 11162 North Alpine Highway, Highland, Utah. Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Friday evening from 6:00-8:00 pm at the church and also at an additional viewing on Saturday morning from 9:30-10:30 am prior to services at the church.
The memorial service will be streamed live: Zoom.com, select the 'join' button from the top menu; Meeting ID: 97663086150, Password: Melinda1.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Melinda's memory to a local food pantry or homeless shelter.