Charlene Graves

1948 - 2025

Charlene, born and educated in Roanoke, was a member of the Lucy Addison Class of 1966. She earned a BA in Art Education from Norfolk State University, an MA from the College of New Rochelle and a MS in Supervision and Administration with a visual arts focus from Bank Street College and Parsons School of Design. She taught for 14 years at Graham, a residential facility in Hastings, New York and for 16 years in the Hempstead, New York school system before retiring in 2002. Returning to Roanoke, she contributed to projects with Kimoyo and the Harrison Museum and served on the Roanoke Arts Commission. A lifelong member of St. Paul United Methodist Church, Charlene had a generous spirit and an engaging personality, embracing life fully even through ALS. She was predeceased by her son Adrian, her parents Flordy and Lee Sr. and her sister Jackie Dowling. She is survived by her siblings Lee and Gayle, brother-in-law Carolos Dowling, several nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.