Reverend Elizabeth Graham

Reverend Elizabeth Sullivan Graham was born in Nashville, Tennessee on December 4, 1946, to the late Reverend James S. Sullivan and Mamie Ruth Streeter Sullivan. Elizabeth was the sixth out of nine children from this union. She was proceeded in death by her parents, 7 of her siblings, and her son, Michael. Elizabeth was a devoted mother and wife of 26 years with Deacon Sam H. Graham. They joined in holy matrimony on February 12, 2000, with her children by her side.

“Minister Graham,” as she was often called by many, was a loving and caring Woman of God. She loved people and had a way of connecting with them, while bringing souls to Christ with her gentle, yet powerful nature. She was devoted to God’s Purpose of ministry for her life. Even well before her ministerial calling, doing “The Lord’s Work” was her passion and brought her much joy.

At an early age, she professed hope in Christ. In 1984 she rededicated her life to Christ and united with the Little Union Missionary Baptist Church, under the leadership of her friend, mentor, and spiritual advisor, Reverend Charles E. Claybrooks, Sr. It was here, where her spiritual gifts became most evident. Initially, she served as an Usher, Sunday School Teacher, Youth Advisor, and Church Clerk. However, as it became more obvious by many, including her pastor, God soon further revealed His Purpose for her life, in which, in 1995, she expressed her calling into the Ministry. On July 21, 1996, after the untimely passing of Rev. Claybrooks, acting pastor, Reverend Allen Frazier, along with Reverend W. L. White (of Hicks Tabernacle Baptist Church), Reverend Lewis Patton (of Love United Missionary Baptist Church), along with other clergy ordained and presented Reverend Graham with her Missionary License to preach the Gospel. She later was elevated to Assistant Pastor, under the leadership of Pastor Edward Wilks and continued her ministry at Little Union, until 2006. From then until her illness, Revered Graham united under the leadership of Reverend Doctor Eddie L. Wren with the Zion Springs Missionary Baptist Church, in which she served as an Associate Minister, Adult Sunday School Superintendent, and a member of the Senior Outreach Ministry.

Elizabeth Sullivan Graham was educated in Davidson County Public Schools, in which she spent a majority of her career in the hospitality industry. Towards the ladder of her career, she returned to Metropolitan Davidson Public Schools and worked as an active Patrol Officer, serving a plethora of young people in her community.

She leaves to cherish her memory a devoted daughter, Baraka (Marcellus) Rogers; a loving son, Eugene Dangerfield; her husband, Sam H. Graham; daughters and son-in-love, Andrea (Ronnie) Young and Destinee Rogers; granddaughter-in-love, Arianna Young; brother, Marvin (Priscilla) Sullivan; her caring niece and nephews, Dimetra McCutcheon, Dana (Ella) McCutcheon, Joseph (Channel) Sullivan, and remaining host of nieces, great-nieces, nephews, and great-nephews; her spiritual children: Pastor Charles (Kerri) Claybrooks Jr., Quandrell Claybrooks, Reverend Travis (Ileka) Angus, Reverend Ronald (Gerri) Walker, and Michelle Mason; her spiritual grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Nakayla Walker, Austin Walker, and Ethan Walker; a host of in-laws; close friends: Reverend Carolyn Leslie and Mother Johnnie Biddix; the members of Zion Springs Missionary Baptist Church and remaining loved ones and friends.