Helen Graves

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Helen Graves, 87, of the Ledford community, passed away at 8:35 p.m. Tuesday, May 11, 2010, at her home surrounded by her family that loved her so much.

She was born on March 8, 1923, in Marion to the late William and Lillie Deaton Deaton. She married T.F. Graves on Dec. 13, 1952, and he preceded her in death on Nov. 5, 2006.

Helen was a Baptist by faith and devout member of the Ledford Baptist Church. She was a devout Christian lady and loved her God and her family more than anything. Her children and grandchildren were her whole life.

She is survived by five children, Tom (Melba) Killman of Creal Springs, Jerry (Shelia) Killman of Harrisburg, Bonnie (Bud) Hall of Bloomington, Beverly Slusher of Harrisburg and Gary (Kim) Graves of Carrier Mills; one brother, Charlie (Roma) Deaton of Ozark; three sisters, Janie Wienke of Carrier Mills, Mary Bohne of Seattle, Wash., and Lou (Gale) Sibigtroth of Sheridan; nine grandchildren, Marcia Hilliard of Marion, Roy Killman of Creal Springs, Tammy (Joe) Maida of Naperville, Justin (Jennifer) Graves of Marion, Tara (Scott) Nafziger of Bloomington, Terry Deno of Aurora, Tim (Caree) Slusher of Raleigh, N.C., Ryan (Amber) Hall of Marion and Seth Graves of Golconda; and 13 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and four brothers.

Visitation will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 13, 2010, at the Absher-Nicholson Funeral Home in Carrier Mills. The funeral will be 11 a.m. Friday, May 14, 2010, at the Absher-Nicholson Funeral Home in Carrier Mills with the Rev. Darrell Ford officiating. Burial will be in the Salem Cemetery in Carrier Mills.

For those who wish, memorials may be made to the Ledford Baptist Church in her memory. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.