FUNERAL IS HELD SUNDAY FOR
WICKLIFFE GRAVES, CONFEDERATE WAR VETERAN; WAS NEARING HIS NINETY-SECOND
BIRTHDAY
Democrat
November 28, 1940
CALLED TO REWARD
Largely attended
funeral service were held Sunday afternoon at the First Christian Church at
3 o'clock for Wickliffe Graves, pioneer McKinney and Collin County citizen,
who died at 12:55 o'clock Saturday morning. His death, which occurred at the
home of his son, Chas W. Graves, and wife, where he made his home, followed
a two weeks' illness of the flu.
Services were
conducted by his Pastor, Dr. Clifford S. Weaver, and by Rev. Earl J. Patton,
Pastor of the First Methodist Church. Music was given by the First Christian
choir. Many beautiful flowers attested to the love and esteem in which the
deceased was held by a multitude of friends and acquaintances, who filled
that church to pay their last respects to this honored and beloved McKinney
man, who was rapidly approaching his ninety-second birthday.
Burial followed
in the Pecan Grove Cemetery, this city, with the Helms Funeral Home of
Collin in charge.
Pall bearers
were: Clarence Hill, Nat Talkington, Walter H. Bush, Don O. Davis, J. M.
Foster, Dr. J. Knight, Will F. Horn and Dick Faulkner.
In his beautiful
tribute to the life of the deceased, Dr. Weaver pointed out that the church
of which the deceased had long been a faithful member, and former Deacon,
was planning to honor him at its services Sunday, December 8, only two days
following his ninety-second birthday, had he lived.
Among those from
out-of-town, who attended the funeral services, were Mr. and Mrs. H. S.
Forman, Mrs. Sam Smith, Mrs. Lillie Mae Maples and daughter, Doris, Mr. and
Mrs. J. P. Conroy and Mr. and Mrs. A. B. Mayhew, of Dallas; Mr. and Mrs. M.
B. Hill, and Mr. and Mrs. Crawford Patterson, of Hillsboro.
Native of
Missouri.
Wickliffe Graves
was born Dec. 6, 1848 in Johnson County, Missouri, the son of Albert S.
Graves and Frances (Harrison) Graves. His parents came from Virginia to
Missouri. He was one of a large family of thirteen children, and was the
last of that large group of children to pass away. He came with the parents
to Texas in 1856, when he was only eight years old, the family settling on a
farm West of McKinney. He had lived in this city and county since that time.
At the time of his death he made his home with his son, Chas. W. Graves and
wife.
He was married
in April, 1877, to Miss Fannie Fox, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. S. H. Fox,
pioneer couple, Mr. Fox serving as County Commissioner of Collin County for
many years. Mrs. Graves passed away in November, 1927. He engaged in farming
as his life work, and at the time of his passing still owned the farm on
which he was reared, West of this city.
Served In
Confederacy.
When a youth of
only 16, he enlisted with his two brothers, A. S. and L. H. Graves, in the
Confederate Army and served some six months with the Confederate forces,
taking part in several battles and skirmishes during that time.
He professed
religion at an early age and had consistently lived a steadfast Christian
life since. He held membership for many years in the First Christian Church
in this city, having served for many years as a Deacon in that church,
voluntarily retiring from that post of Christian duty when the infirmities
of age advanced.
His Survivors.
The deceased and
wife were the parents of six children, five of whom survive their father's
passing, as follows: Mrs. V. F. Heath of Hillsboro, Chas. W. Graves and
Jesse G. Graves of McKinney; L. H. Graves of Dallas, and Roy L. Graves of
Atlanta, Ga. Mrs. Hugh Kistler preceded her father to the grave here several
years ago. Also surviving are eleven grandchildren and five
great-grandchildren.
The deceased was
a member of the I. O. O. F. fraternity for many years. He served as city
alderman for several years.
The deceased had
lived a quiet, unostentatious life, attending to his own affairs and letting
other people attend to theirs. He was a kindly, understanding Christian, who
put into daily practice his religion. He was a kind and considerate friend
and neighbor, honest, upright, a loving husband and father, and a man of
whom it could be truly said that his word was his bond.
He was one of
the two remaining members of the fast-thinning Confederate band in this
city, his death leaving only one veteran living in this city, G. M. Edwards.
Highly Esteemed.
Perhaps no man
in the city or county was better known or more highly regarded and esteemed
than Mr. Graves. He enjoyed nothing better than to come downtown and mix and
mingle with friends, and to relate with others experiences of many decades
ago. He had seen many changes take place in this city and county, and ever
maintained an active, alert interest in happenings of the day. He was
well-read and one whom friends enjoyed conversing with.
His passing
removes from McKinney and Collin County one of the time-honored, respected
and esteemed pioneer citizens. These newspaperman, who had long known and
loved him for his many admirable attributes of character, join with his host
of other friends in extending condolences to members of the bereaved family
in their irreparable loss. He will be greatly missed from the everyday walks
of life about the city, and his splendid example of Christian-living will
live long in the memory of a great number of admiring friends and
acquaintances.
Surname Index
Recommended Citation:
"Funeral for Wickliffe Graves,
EARLY SETTLERS OF COLLIN COUNTY." Collin County, Texas History
and Genealogy Webpage by Genealogy Friends of Plano Libraries, Inc., <http://www.geocities/genfriendsghl>
[Accessed Fri February 13, 2004 ].
