Ruby Lena Graves Word's Obituary
Ruby Lena Graves-Word, 95, of Chattanooga, TN, passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 5, 2024, surrounded by family. She was born January 3, 1929, in Chattanooga. She was born to the late Reverend A.J. Lewis and Hattie Mae Freeman. She was the oldest of her siblings. Ruby attended the Chattanooga Public School system. She was employed by Provident Insurance as a custodian, and at Dixie Yarn, where she retired after 25 years. Ruby was also a foster grandparent at Chamberlain Home Childcare Center. She was affectionately known as, “Lena,” or, “Lene.” She was a devoted member of Second Missionary Baptist Church and also attended several other churches where she sang in the choir and served on the missionary board. She found joy in singing and worship. She sang with her late husband, James “Pete” Graves and Five Sons of Calvary Quartet, Chattanooga Mass Choir, and Widow Aids Choir. Her deep faith was a source of comfort and guidance for both herself and for the people she loved. Lena was preceded in death by her husband, James Graves, Sr.; sons, James “Spookie” Graves, Jr. and Alphonso Graves; granddaughter, Versa (Shawn) Kilgore; brothers, Walter Freeman, Sr., Howard Turner, Claude Freeman, and Floyd Mathis, sister, Estella Freeman; step-daughter, Linda Fletcher.
She is survived by her son, Willie H. (Dorothy) Graves; daughters-in-law, Paulette Graves, and Eleanor Graves; daughter/granddaughter, Tara (Eric) Kennedy; sister, Norma Jean Hughley; brother, Leslie (Shirley) Lewis, of Norfolk, VA; god-daughter, Shawn Tatum; 9 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great-grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family. Ruby will lie-in-state on Friday, December 13, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. at Taylor Funeral Home. Funeral service will follow at 11:30 a.m. in the chapel with Minister Dorothy Graves as Eulogist. Burial in Chattanooga National Cemetery.
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