Ola Ruth Graves

Ola Ruth Graves was born on January 16, 1938 in Monroe, Arkansas to William Lawrence McGuire and Ada Estelle McGuire. She was the third of four sisters (Winifred Newman, Mary Edgar, and Ramona Burton). On March 11, 2026, Ruth passed away in the early morning hours at a loving care home in Arlington, TN, where she received outstanding compassion, care, and dignity. She is survived by her daughter, Ramona Dugger (David); her step-daughter, Margaret "Margie" Graves; and her two grandchildren, Erin Cardosi and Joey Cardosi (Sierra). Ruth lived a life full of love and possibilities. As the second to youngest daughter, she learned at a young age to speak up so that she was heard and to give generously to those around her. As a cotton farmer's daughter, she also learned the value of hard work and physical labor from sun up to sun down. Perhaps, this is why she was always on the move with various tasks, projects, and mission work throughout her life. On August 31, 1963, she married John "Johnny" Howard Edwards in Humboldt, TN. Their love story was a real-life romance-comedy! After years of being best friends and casually dating other people, Ruth finally agreed to marry the love of her life. They had two children together: Kevin McGuire Edwards (born and died on 11/08/1965) and Ramona Rae Edwards (born 09/11/1967). Even though Kevin only lived on this earth for two hours, Ruth always kept him in her heart. After 40 years of a loving marriage, John Howard Edwards passed in the comfort of his own home on April 14, 2004 in Germantown, TN. After Johnny passed on, Ruth said a part of her died with him. She continued to live her life with love and thanksgiving, but assumed her romantic life ended with Johnny. However, God surprised her in the most awesome way by gifting her with a second chance of love. On June 29, 2012, Ruth married her second husband, James "Jim" Robert Graves in Collierville, TN. They spent seven loving years together until Jim passed away in their Collierville home on November 26, 2019.

Ruth was a proud employee of FedEx for nearly 20 years. She never missed an opportunity to attend her beloved FedEx Retiree Luncheons every year. Throughout her life, she was very active in the United Methodist Church, by volunteering in as many church functions, activities, and roles as humanly possible. She was a proud member of the United Methodist Women group, where she served as a board committee member. She was a faithful member of the Methodist Auxiliary Women's group at our local Methodist hospitals.

Ruth said her most important role was being the grandmother to Erin and Joey and their friends throughout the years. She was famously known as "Granny" to many. She always made sure everyone who stepped foot in her house were well-fed, even if they were nauseously full. She took joy in taking care of others. Her number one pride in her life was her daughter, Ramona. Ruth always kept family close to her heart. If you knew Granny, you knew she had an endless vault of stories. She would tell her favorite stories to anyone who would listen, even if they have been heard before. Her favorite stories were of her child and grandchildren in their youth. Even at the very end of her life, she would reminisce on her fondest memories of her nearest and dearest.

On March 11, 2026, Ruth was finally able to meet our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, face to face. Now she has been reunited with several loved ones, such as her son Kevin, her sisters and parents, and her two beloved husbands. Rejoice in Heaven and rest easy, Granny. We will see you again.