Wendell Keith Graves

Wendell Keith Graves - SAVANNAH - Wendell Keith Graves, 78, died April 23, 2010, at Hospice Savannah, Inc. He was born in Lebanon, Indiana, son of the late Everett Graves and Nova Ruth Crisler Graves who died shortly after his birth. He is further predeceased by his stepmother, Edith Hayes Graves, with whom he was very close. He was a graduate of Crawfordsville High School and attended Wabash College while living with his maternal grandparents. He then joined the United States Army serving in the Army Intelligence Division and while stationed in Savannah he met his future wife, Virginia Hall, whose family owned John Hall Nursery and Florist. They moved to Bloomington, Indiana, where they attended Indiana University. He graduated with a B.S. in Marketing and Economics, and then obtained a masters degree in metallurgy. After graduation, they lived in Dearborn, Michigan where he worked in various capacities for Ford Motor Company retiring in 1973 as a Zone Sales Manager. After retiring from Ford, they returned to Savannah where he worked with his father-in-law in the nursery business. He later acquired the business. Mr. Graves was known throughout the southeast for his expertise in plants, especially camellias and roses. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Virginia Hall Graves, and only child, a son, John Graves, who died shortly before his twentieth birthday. Surviving are his brother, Donald Graves of Daytona, Florida; sister-in-law, Colleen Hall Pitts of St. Augustine, Florida, step-sisters, Ann Templeman and Gwen Weathers, and aunts, Olive Steele and Audrey Coffin all of Indiana. Additionally, he is survived by a number of nieces and nephews. Graveside Funeral Service: 2:00 p.m., Monday, April 26, 2010 in Hillcrest Abbey Memorial Park with The Reverend Gavin G. Dunbar officiating. Remembrances: Hospice Savannah, Inc., P.O. Box 13190, Savannah, GA 31416. Please sign our on-line guestbook at www.foxandweeks.com Savannah Morning News April 25, 2010 Please sign our Obituary Guest Book at savannahnow.com/obituaries .