Etta Graves

~ The Obituary ~

A Time to Be Born

Mrs. Etta Mae Graves affectionately known as “Penny” was born to the late Mr. Jerry and Mrs. Lizzie Hemingway on April 07, 1945. She graduated from Bethel High School in Marion County with the class of 1963 and soon moved to New York.

A Time to Love

Etta was united in marriage to Johnny B. Graves and to this union two children were born. Her youngest son preceded her in death, Terayn “Ty” Graves. Three siblings also preceded her in death, Ceaser Hemingway, Margaret Johnson and Diane Woodberry.

A Time to Serve

At an early age “Penny” accepted the Lord Jesus as her Personal Savior and joined Bethel AME Church of Britton’s Neck, SC. She served as president of the Daughters of Sarah, Senior Choir member and a member of Hettie’s Chapter OES #314. She was employed with the Poster Service in New York City for many years. She later moved back to South Carolina and worked at Russell Stover’s Candies until 2000. After the closing of Russell Stover’s Candies she worked at Tupperware and then moved on to employment at Conway Medical Center until her health failed.

A Time to Die

God in his infinite wisdom and divine love called Etta home with His abundant grace and mercy. Our Heavenly Father whispered to “Penny”, “Come and Rest in Me”.

A Time to Morn

She leaves to cherish her precious memories, her husband of 50 years, Johnny B. Graves; one son: Rex (Alicia “Lisa”) Graves who she loved as a daughter; one grandson: Tyion Graves (mother Victoria James); two brothers: George (Helen) Hemingway and Jerry (Ernestine) Hemingway; two god daughters: Lavoris Hemingway and Bridget Richardson Henderson; one god son: Desmond Davis; eight brothers-in-law and eight sisters-in-law and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. Special friends: Ronita Hemingway (niece), Annette Davis, Blanche Tennie, Judy Ann Gause, Jacqueline Rowell, Rilla Williams, Angelo Graves, Angela Burroughs, Vicki Davis, Steven Sparks, LaShana Pee, Danna Flora, Creek Bridge High School Family, former Britton’s Neck High School Family and the former Terrell’s Bay High School Family.

 Service Information