Thomas Edward “Tom” Graves, Jr., 92, passed peacefully on January 13, 2017 at his home surrounded by his family and friends. He was born in Roper, NC to the late Thomas Edward, Sr. and Cora B. Armstrong Graves.

Tom was educated in the Roper School System and was an honor graduate of J.J. Clemons High School. After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served in the Pacific Theater during World War II. His tour of duty took him from New Guinea to the South Philippines and he was Honorably Discharged as a 1st Sergeant after three years. He received the American Theater Medal, The Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars, The Philippine Liberation Medal with 1 Star, The Good Conduct Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.

Upon his discharge, Tom began to think of his future and his love and passion for the funeral profession, which began at an early age, took hold. He decided to enroll in Echols School of Mortuary Science in Philadelphia, PA. He completed a two year course in one year with honors and was subsequently inducted into the honorary fraternity.

After graduating from Mortuary School, Tom secured an apprenticeship position with Hale Funeral Home in Norfolk. Soon after, he met Mildred Odom, a teacher with the Norfolk School System. They married in 1949. This union blessed them with two children, Tommy and Lorraine. Circumstances, however, sent him on another journey. He went to work for the U.S. Postal Service as a clerk for a short time. Soon his desire to own and operate his OWN Funeral Home took over. With the help of his wife and family, Graves Funeral Home became more than a dream. Graves Funeral Home opened on June 15, 1953. It was the first establishment ever designed and built to service the African-American Community in the area.

His commanding officer, the late Lt. Carl F. Petroski, often wrote about his exceptional skills as a leader. Those skills came to the forefront again when he became instrumental in successfully helping to elect the late Senator Peter K. Babalas to the office of Virginia State Senate. A few years later, he was the lead organizer to help elect the late Honorable Judge Joseph Jordan to the Norfolk City Council, the first African-American voted to that office. His plan became known as the “single shot”. He was an active supporter of the Civil Rights Movement. Tom continued to work quietly behind the scenes politically. However, his focus as well as the growing success of the funeral home, turned his attention to the community. No one in need was ever turned away. He tried to help adults and children never feeling the need to promote his generosity.

Tom has remained licensed with the Virginia State Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers, was licensed in the State of North Carolina until 2016 and was active on both the local and national levels in the industry for many years.

Tom Graves was an ICON in this city and will be truly missed by many. Graves Funeral Home, with the exception of his family, was Tom’s life, his passion and the driving force of his existence. Now, in it’s third generation of licensed funeral directors, which is still FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED, Graves Funeral Home was the training ground for many local funeral directors. He was dedicated to serving the community with DIGNITY, GRACE, QUALITY AND EXECPTIONAL SERVICE. Tom Graves was truly a PIONEER.

Tom is survived by his wife of 67 years, Mildred, “Puddin” as he affectionately called her; son, Thomas, III, “Tommy” (Angelia); daughter, Lorraine; 2 grandsons, Thomas, IV and Jason Graves; one great- grandson, Thomas E. Graves, V and a host of other relatives and friends.

Viewing will be held on Thursday, January 19th from 1-8pm and Friday, January 20th from 10-4pm at Graves Funeral Home. A Wake Service will be held on Friday from 6-8pm at “The Mount”, 215 Las Gaviotas Blvd., Chesapeake, VA 23322. A Graveside Service will be held on Saturday, January 21st at 12noon at Roosevelt Memorial Park, Chesapeake, Va. Condolences may be sent to gravesfuneralhomeinc.com.

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