Ruth Graves

MANSFIELD - Bertha Ruth Graves, 83, a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great-great grandmother passed away on October 23, 2010, at home. FUNERAL SERVICE: 2 pm Wednesday, October 27, 2010, at First United Methodist Church of Mansfield. Private interment at Mansfield Cemetery, Mansfield, TX. Services provided by Blessing Funeral Home of Mansfield. Biography Ruth was born in Mansfield, TX, on September 5, 1927. She was the daughter of Earnest Joseph Stone and Bertha Jane (Noles) Stone, both lifelong residents of Mansfield. Ruth graduated from Mansfield High School in 1944 with honors. She went on to attend Texas Wesleyan College, majoring in Home Economics. She married Wallace DeWitt Graves on November 5, 1948, and they were blessed with five children. Wallace worked in the NASA Space program as an engineer, with Ruth providing support and encouragement to him in his career. He preceded her in death on October 10, 1996. Ruth was employed in a variety of jobs in her lifetime. She held positions as a telephone operator, an assembly-line worker, a bank teller, a waitress, a U.S. Post Office employee, and a nurse's aide. Of all her positions, she was proudest of her roles as a loving daughter, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. Ruth was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church of Mansfield, which her ancestors helped to found. She was also a member of the Business and Professional Women's Organization. She loved travelling, music, pets, telling jokes, dancing, sewing, cooking and running around barefooted. Ruth enjoyed swimming and at one time was a certified scuba diver. She was very proud of her heritage as a fourth generation citizen of Texas and Mansfield, a farm girl, and a Depression Era and World War II survivor. She was preceded in death by her parents and an infant granddaughter, Whitney June Dahr. Survivors include three daughters, Leota Joyce Hubbard and husband Steve of Itasca, Reba Jane Dahr and Martha June Graves of Venus; two sons, Dr. Wallace Joseph Graves and wife Donna of Blum and Brent Jackson Graves of Venus; two granddaughters, Tracy Denise Clark of Denton and Leslie Shawn Whatley of Covington, two grandsons, Daniel Joseph Dahr of Arlington and Travis Joe Hubbard of Itasca, one great granddaughter, Elizabeth Denise Clark of Waxahachie, four great grandsons , Sean Christie Doyle of Oklahoma City, Alexander Glenn Clark of Cedar Hill, Jacob Evan Walker of Covington and Cameron Jared Whatley of Covington, one great-great granddaughter, Lauren Paige Doyle of Oklahoma City and one great-great grandson, Christopher Doyle of Oklahoma City. She is also survived by one brother, Dr. Joseph Fred Stone and wife Judith, a nephew, James Clay Stone and wife Susan, three great-nephews, Kristopher John Stone, Damien James Stone, Korigan Joseph Stone and one great-great nephew, Thayden James McCartney, all of Whitney. Devotional If roses grow in Heaven...Lord please pick a bunch for me. Place them in my Mother's arms and tell her they're from me. Tell her that I love her, and when she turns to smile, Place a kiss upon her cheek and hold her for a while. Remembering her is easy, I do it every day But there is an ache within my heart that will never go away. You were a wonderful mother and a great friend to us through both the happy, exciting times of our lives, and the more challenging ones. We will miss your witty sense of humor and your comforting voice through the coming years. May your soul rest in Heaven with God and all of the loved ones that left us before you. To Mom, Granda, Sister, Aunt Ruth... We love you so very much. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Ruth Graves please visit our Sympathy Store.