Virgil J. Graves

Virgil J. Graves, 78, of St. Louis, formerly of Rector, died Wednesday, May 17, 2006, in Des Peres Hospital in St. Louis.

Born Aug. 23, 1927, in Paragould to the late Clyde and Alma Graves, he was a former pastor and factory worker for General Electric and was a member of Southside General Baptist Church in St. Louis.

He also was preceded in death by an infant grandson and a son-in-law, Eugene Robinson.

Survivors include his first wife, Cleta Terry of Rector; second wife, Barbara Graves of St. Louis; two sons, Dennis Graves of St. Louis and Dickie Graves of Kennett; one step-son, Gary Bowlin; two daughters, Debbie Robinson of Rector and Dana Graves of Paragould; one brother, Dilmos Graves of Paragould; nine grandchildren, Shay Robinson, Misty Mangrum, Dustin Graves, Aaron McDaniel, Sean Graves, Taylor Ray, Kaitlyn O'Neal, Ricky Holcomb and Chance Holcomb; two step-grandchildren, Tyler and Brandy Bowlin, and three great-grandchildren, Gracyn Robinson, Lexie Mangrum and Trenton McDaniel.

Funeral services were at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, May 20, at Mitchell Funeral Home Chapel in Rector with Bro. Floyd Holland and Bro. Marston Carpenter officiating. Burial was in Woodland Heights Cemetery in Rector with Mitchell Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Pallbearers were Dave Ganser, Mike Graves, Terry Robinson, Tony Varvil, Randal Midkiff and Warren Matheney.