James Oscar Graves Jr.'s Obituary
James “Spookie” Oscar Graves, Jr., 76, of Chattanooga, passed away Friday, August 18, 2023, at his residence. He was born on May 4, 1954, to the union of James Oscar Graves, Sr. and Ruby Lena Graves Word. James was the eldest of 3 siblings. He accepted Christ at an early age and Christ continued to be the head of his life until his departure from this earthly realm. James was a 1966 graduate of Riverside High School. After graduating high school, “Spookie” enlisted in the United States Army. Once his time in the Army was up, he began working for TVA. He was employed at TVA for 12 years. Survivors include his wife of 37 years, Paulette Graves; sons, Stephen Graves, Corey Graves, Johnny Caldwell, and Vernice Caldwell; daughters, Kosha Caldwell Johnson, and De’Angela Rawlings; 19 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; mother, Ruby Lena Graves; brother, Willie (Dorothy) Graves; aunts, Norma Lena Hughley, and Juliette Freeman; sisters-in-law, Elanor Graves, Margaret Vinson, LaVarn Rawlings, Carol Rawlings, and Roseann (Randolph) Thomas; special niece, Tara Graves Kennedy; special friends, Dolphus Phillips and Steve George Davis; a host of nieces; nephews; cousins; other relatives and friends. James will lie-in-state on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, at 9 a.m. at Taylor Funeral Home. Funeral service will follow at 12 noon in the chapel with Minister Dorothy Graves as the eulogist. Burial at a later date.
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