Smith Funeral Home of Florence, LLC. | Florence, SC

Obituary For Rev. Charles J. Graves

The Governor of South Carolina advises to limit public gatherings to 50 guests or less to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Smith Funeral Home of Florence, LLC carefully considered this recommendation and ask that additional guest please participate via live-streaming if it is authorized by the family.

Private Funeral Service for Reverend Charles Graves will be conducted 10:00 AM Wednesday, July 15, 2020 on the lawn of Mt. Zion AME Church, 1305 E. Cheves St., Florence, SC. Entombment will follow in Williams Family Cemetery, directed by Smith Funeral Home of Florence, LLC.

Presiding Elder Charles Jerom Graves (Retired) was born November 11, 1935 in Marion County, SC. He was the son of the late Mr. Gaines and Mrs. Everette Graves. He died on Friday, July 10, 2020.

He received his childhood and high school education in the Public Schools of Gresham and Britton's Neck, South Carolina. He is a graduate of Allen University and received his religious education from Dickerson Theological Seminary in Columbia, South Carolina. He has further and continuing educational studies at the University of South Carolina as well as Lutheran Southern Seminary.

Reverend Graves participated in numerous training in the fields of Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Pastoral Care and the Criminal Justice System. As an educator, Presiding Elder Graves served as classroom teacher and Assistant Principal in the Public School System for ten (10) years. He was a Counselor and Supervisor with the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice for seventeen (17) years.

Before his appointment as Presiding Elder, Reverend Graves served as Pastor of Mt. Pisgah/Williams Chapel/Circuit for two (2) years, Union Station African Methodist Episcopal Church in Lake View, South Carolina for nine (9) years, Centerville / Mt. Calvary Circuit in Hartsville, South Carolina for thirteen (13) years and New Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church in (Wisacky) South Carolina for fifteen (15) years. He presided over the Marion District of The African Methodist Episcopal Church for nine (9) years.

Reverend Graves ‘Civic and Political affairs in various communities include serving as Personnel Chairman of the Marion/Dillon Community Action Agency, Chairman of the Darlington County Community Action Agency. He also served as the Chairman of Inter-Faith Ministries, Lee County, Vice-Chair of the Lee County Housing Board of Directors for the Crisis Centers.He served as a member of the Board of Lee County Housing Authority and as Vice-Chair of the Committee on Pastoral Care for the State of South Carolina. Presiding Elder Graves was a member of The State Board of Education, representing the third Judicial Circuit, which included Lee, Sumter, Clarendon and Williamsburg Counties. He served as DMC Associate Commissioner for the Northeast Conference for a number of years as a member of the General Conference Commission. He was also President of the 7th African Methodist Episcopal District and was the Presiding Elder of the Mt. Pleasant District AME Church prior to his retirement.

Presiding Elder Graves was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities by the Board of Trustees of Allen University.

Rev. Graves was proceeded in death by his parents, Gaines and Everette Graves, his sisters, Irma Graves, Deliah Franklin, and brother, James Arthur Green.

Survivors of Presiding Elder Graves are his wife, Odessa Reaves Graves, of sixty three (63) years, sons, Steven Charles Graves (Thelma) of Columbia, SC, Rev. Merritt B. Graves (Lizzie) of Florence, SC, and a daughter Tracey Graves-McDaniel (Joye) of Columbia, SC; sister, Celestine Graves-Bishop of Florence, SC; Brother, Archie Lee Graves of Florence, SC.; grandchildren, Steven M. Graves (Dasha), Porsha McDaniel-Hall (McKinnley), Merritt Graves II, Joy Traneisha McDaniel. Four great grandchildren, Airelle Graves, Aubrey Graves, Alaina Graves, and McKinnley Sekani Hall; special cousins, Arthur Graves, Timothy Page,Barbara Clark, Ollie Cannon. Numerous special nieces and nephews, relatives and very dear friends.

Public viewing will be held 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM Tuesday, July 14, 2020 at J. O. & Annette Smith Memorial Chapel, 307 S. Johns St., Florence, SC

Due to COVID-19, no visitation the family will receive condolences by phone at 843-669-0909 or by mail at P.O. Box 15177, Quinby, SC 29506.

Please keep the family of Presiding Elder Charles J. Graves in your thoughts and prayers.

Guest Book

We were saddened to hear of Rev. Graves, your dad's passing. We're sending our sincere condolences to Rev. Merritt, your lovely wife, Liz and your entire family during your time of sorrow. The Barnes'

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Sorry to hear of the passing of Rev. Graves. He was one of the teachers at Jefferson High School in York, SC. We loved him very much and it was wonderful to see him a few years ago. Blessings to the Graves" Family

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We are sending our sincere condolences, prayers & Peace to the Graves family. Presiding Elder & Mrs.Benjamin Ridley (Retired) 6th Episcopal District - Macon, Georgia

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Sending our condolences, love, and prayers to the Graves family. - the Crummy Family

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Our heart goes out to you and your family during this difficult time. The loss of a loved one is never easy, but know we are with you and your family through your grief. Peace and Blessings, The Rogers/Nichols Family

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Our prayers are with the Graves family. We will keep you and your family in our prayers. From Sanford and Gwendolyn Moore.

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To my Aunt Odessa, my cousins & all of the family. We are sending our deepest condolences at the loss of a great man such as Charles Graves. We love you & wish we could be with you in person. Christine Reaves. Debra Reaves

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To the family of Rev. Charles Graves, so sorry to hear of his passing. My condolences, I have fond memories, he was my supervisor at in Dillon, SC at the Department of Juvenile Justice. A very kind man. Deloris McRae-Augustus.AmFSzS

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Sending Condolences to the Graves Family so sorry for your loss praying for comfort and strengthening for the family Minnie James & Family

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To the Graves Family. I am sadden to hear of the passing of our Beloved Presiding Elder Graves. My thoughts and prayers are with the family. Continued Blessings. Bettye Armstrong

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Our condolences and prayers to the Graves family. Greater Singletary AMEC family.

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To my dear family our prayers are with you all in this time of grief. 7Kg5De was a very dear person I will always remember him and his smile. To his wife and children, grands be bless knowing that you will see him again. Your Cousin Briscoe Davis and family

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Our Condolences to the Graves Family. Praying that God gives peace and comfort at this time. My family and I are here if you need us. Lean on the Lord and he carry you. Love you guys

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Our condolences goes out to the Graves family, will be praying that God will give you all strength at this time. Mary and Tank

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Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. May God comfort and strengthen them during this sad hour. The Dukes/Cade family

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you will be miss Thank you for taking time with me and Curtis when we was kids Rest in Peace Archie Jerome Graves

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Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family... We're always here for you. God bless. Family of the late Rev. and Mrs. John T. Bell

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I wish to extend my heartfelt condolences to you and your family at this hour of grief, And I also pray that god give you and your family the strength, perseverance and courage to come out of this. Stay strong and you shall come out of this! Bazella Glover

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To The Graves Family-Words cannot express the sadness I am feeling.My prayers are with you all.Our memories of him will forever bring comfort. Dot Spencer

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Our prayers are with u doing this time of sorry. Trust in. God. God will see u through look to the hill. All your help cone from the. Lord. Rev. Dr Frankie. D. White and the. Burgers. A. M. E. Church of. Manning s.c.

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My condolences and prayers are with you during the list of your love one Roberta

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To the Graves Family my prayers and sympathy goes out to you and your Family at times like this. The Rev.Jerry Grant and Family

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Words cannot express how deeply saddened we are .Know that the Comforter is come and will sustain the family at this time and in the future.Bask in the strength of the Lord.Rev Barbara and Minister Fred Brown

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To the Graves family we send our prayers and condolences to you during your time of lost.we believe God will continue to take care of you , my bless you and keep you. D.L. & Ila Hyman

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Although no words can really help to ease the loss you bear, just know that you are very close in every thought and prayer. Ms. Virginia Rogers

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Although no words can really help to ease the loss you bear, just know that you are very close in every thought and prayer.

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Our sincere condolences to the Graves Family, thinking of you with Love and in Prayer. Francine Vereen and Family

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To the Graves family. You are in our prayers. We pray that God will comfort and strengthen you. (Ms. Audrey Davis & Dr. Lurma Swinney, sisters)

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Saddened to hear of the loss of P.E. Graves. Our prayers and thoughts are with the Graves family during this difficult time. He served as our pastor at Mount Calvary AME in Hartsville. Alfred & Marilyn Richardson

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We wish we could ease the grief that you're feeling now, we know that only the passing of time can heal the pain , but you should know that you're not alone... we really care and we're here if you need us. Rev. & Mrs. John T. Hemingway.

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I have nothing but fond memories of Uncle Charles. Condolences and prayers for the family. Trina, Ericka and family

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our prayers and though are with you in your time of sadness, you all have our deepest sympathy. The family of the late Rev Pete Franklin Richardson.

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Thank you Uncle Charles for your encouragement throughout the years! You will be greatly missed!! Tyrick

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Our sincere condolences to the Graves family, thinking of you with Love and in Prayer. Sam Bailey and family

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I will miss you my Brother, Rest In Peace. Straywell Patterson, Jr.

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Sheldon Mickens

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Very saddened to hear of the Transition of Rev Graves. He certainly was a great institution for New Zion AME church and my favorite pastor. My condolences to the family.

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Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.

- Smith Funeral Home of Florence, LLC. | Florence, SC