Eloise D Graves

Lois was a fifty-nine year resident of Auburn, Alabama. She passed from this life surrounded by her loving family on March 20, 2024. She was the first born of Maron L. Davis and Ether Capps Davis of Balm, Florida. Both parents were from pioneer central Florida farm families. Lois graduated with honors from Wimauma High School and celebrated her 17th birthday in June of 1951. At that young age she enrolled in Tampa University Business School, graduated, and accepted her first “real” job as a legal secretary. Granted, in addition to her formal education, she had already experienced some good job training in the strawberry fields and pea patches of south Hillsborough County.

As Lois continued to live, work, and make friends in Tampa, she found her way to First Baptist Church where she met a handsome young Texan who was stationed at McDill Air Force Base. Richard Graves was completing his tour and returning to Texas to finish his Bachelor's degree at Baylor University. A year later he returned to Florida to claim his bride and they both returned to Waco, Texas, where they attended classes and worked. Upon graduation they returned to Florida where Richard taught school and earned a Master's degree while Lois spent most of her time as a home-maker caring for Rebecca, born in 1957, and Jeffrey, born in 1962. She was a devoted mother who loved to cook, sew, decorate, and stay involved in her family’s activities. Through these years she was a faithful Christian who ministered to the sick and bereaved in various ways and stayed active in her church and community.

Though life was good in Florida, the opportunity for Richard to do additional graduate work came, and he and Lois were up to the challenge. In the summer of 1963, they relocated to Tallahassee, Florida, where Richard completed the Ph.D. program in English Education at Florida State University two years later.

Then came the noteworthy move to Auburn, Alabama, in 1965, which turned out to be the longest and best. Kathryn was born here in 1969. In addition to nurturing family and friends, Lois spent twenty-three years as a Civil Service adjunct employee on the Auburn campus, first in the USDA, then about twenty years as the executive assistant to the commanding officer of the Naval ROTC Unit. She remained very active at Auburn First Baptist Church and in civic and community affairs, serving willingly in leadership roles when needed.

Lois and Richard are supporters of Auburn athletics and have been football and basketball ticket holders for over half a century. They support the education of teachers through an Auburn University endowed scholarship as well as PEO scholarships. They have also contributed to the new College of Education building, establishing the Richard L. Graves and Eloise D. Graves Huddle Room where students may come together to collaborate and study. Additionally, Lois and Richard were avid square dancers, and after retirement they spent time RVing throughout the United States and Canada with special friends.

Lois was predeceased by her parents and one brother, M.L. Davis, Junior. She is survived by her husband Richard; brothers Wayne Davis and Gerald Davis; daughters Rebecca Johnson and Kathryn Booher (Chris); son Jeffrey Graves (Robin); grandchildren Ryan Johnson (Brittany), Richard Johnson (Alex), Sarah Beth Booher, Grace Anne Booher, Jack Graves and Sam Graves; great grandchildren Davis and Grace Johnson.

The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at the Spencer Cancer Center and Bethany House for their continual care and support.

A memorial service for family and friends will be held at Auburn First Baptist Church on Thursday, March 28, at 11:00, with Reverand Tripp Martin officiating. A reception and visitation will follow in Fellowship Hall.

Memorial contributions honoring Lois may be made to Auburn First Baptist Church at 128 East Glenn Ave, Auburn AL, 36830; or to the Dr. Richard L. Graves and Mrs. Eloise D. Graves Endowed Scholarship in the College of Education at Auburn University. Please make donations payable to the Auburn University Foundation and direct to 317 South College Street, Auburn, AL 36849.