George E. Graves Jr.

George Emanuel Graves, Jr., son of the late George, Sr. and Pheobe Graves was born December 13, 1926 in Baltimore, Maryland, departed this life on Tuesday, September 16, 2014. George was a lifetime member of Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal Church. He was enrolled in the Cradle Roll. He officially joined in July 1944 under the leadership of Rev. W. F. Foster. Throughout his 70 years of faithful service here at Ebenezer he served as an Altar Boy, attended Sunday School, (Junior, Intermediate, Senior and Adult) all classes; Sunday School Teacher, Treasurer of the Sunday School, Scout Master, Director of the Junior Choir where Mrs. Mildred Butcher was the pianist, he was also a member of the Junior, Gospel, Senior Choirs and Male Chorus. He was elected as a Trustee in January 1970. He was Financial Secretary of the Board of Trustee from 1973-1988 (15 years), Assistant Treasurer and Financial Secretary of the General Fund in 1988. He also served as Trustee Emeritus for several years. George received his education in the Baltimore City Public School System, graduating from Carver Vocational-Technical Senior High School in 1945. He served in the United States Army from 1945 to 1949. He received an Honorable Discharge in 1949 along with other certificates. George met, fell in love with and married the late Gloria (Susie) Lomax, from this union one son and four daughters were born, Glenwood, Dorothy, Cynthia, Valerie and Deborah. Later he became the father of Cheryl and Lynn. He was gainfully employed at the Lever Brothers Company and retired after 44 years of service. “If I can do my duty as a Christian ought, then my living shall not be in vain.” Unofficially George was led to start the Ebenezer Outreach Ministry by providing baskets of food to needy families during the Christmas Season which included fresh fruits, vegetables, breakfast foods, turkeys and treats for the children using his own resources. George’s favorite scripture came from 2 Timothy 2:15 “Study to show thyself approve unto God, a workman that needed not to be ashamed rightly dividing the worth of truth.” One of his favorite songs is “Then My Living Shall Not Be In Vain.” George was preceded in death by his siblings, Leroy, Luverne, Corresse, Berneice, and Dorothy. He has one surviving sister, Marion Anderson. George leaves a legacy to his children, Glenwood (Skippy), Cynthia, Valarie (Martin), Cheryl (Benny), Dorothy, Deborah, and Lynn preceded him in death; numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren; an adopted son, Elder Thomas Gillard (Joyce); a devoted friend, Ivy Butler; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Tributes

George E. Graves Jr.

December 13, 1926 - September 16, 2014