Mabel L. Graves, of Lake Orion and Oxford, passed away on March 26, 2003. At 108 years old, she was the oldest person in Oakland County.
Graves, or Nonie as her family called her, was born on March 15, 1895 in Lake Orion. While working as a telephone operator, she was introduced to Floyd Graves. The couple eventually married and settled in Oxford.
A devout Christian, Graves was the loving mother of Helen Rossman, Delbert “Stub” Graves, Donald Graves and the late Walter Graves.
She was also the beloved grandmother of 12 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and 14 great-great-grandchildren.
Graves was preceded in death by her husband Floyd and her great-granddaughter Helga.
During her life, Graves enjoyed arts and crafts, with which she made a substantial second income, and supporting her country. She was the oldest living member of the Oxford United Methodist Church and the American Legion Post #108 Women’s Auxiliary.
During World War II, she worked with the auxiliary to help establish the M.O.M.S. Club (Mothers of Men in Service) and was the first president of the club that supported servicemen and women.
Grave’s family continues to carry on many of the traditions and stories of her life. According to her granddaughter Deb Hottmann, the women in the family still use Grave’s molasses cookie recipe that originated in the mid-1800s, and many of the grandchildren and great-grandchildren remember enjoying her famous popcorn balls at Halloween.
Funeral services were held in honor of Graves at the Oxford United Methodist Church with the Rev. Dr. Joseph R. Baunoch officiating.
Burial took place at Ridgelawn Cemetery in Oxford. Arrangements were made through Bossardet Chapel Lynch & Sons Funeral Directors in Oxford.
The Women’s Auxiliary, American Legion, Sons of the American Legion and the AMVETS attended a service where each member had an opportunity to do their final salute to Graves and place a poppy in her memory.
The Auxiliary will be draping their charter with a black cloth at its April 13 regular meeting in honor of Graves. The charter will remain draped until the regular meeting in May.
Memorials are appreciated and may be made to the Oxford United Methodist Church.