Rev. Graves

Rev. Merrill Edwin Graves, 93, of Spartanburg, SC, died Saturday, March 11, 2017 at Spartanburg Medical Center. Rev. Graves is survived by his wife, Patty Seifert Graves; daughters, Marilyn Graves Kimple of Spartanburg, SC, Judith Graves Schuster of Hampton, VA, and Sharon E. Graves of Travelers Rest, SC; grandsons, Eric Schuster and Daniel Schuster; seven great-grandchildren; stepson, Jeff Miller of Fernandina Beach, FL; stepdaughter, Lisa Miller of Tampa, FL; step-grandchildren, Alex Penaflor, Cassidy Miller, and Justin Miller. He was predeceased by his parents, Roy Edwin and Prudence Hubbard Hersey Graves; first wife, L. Eloyce Hart of Coatesville, PA, mother of daughters; sisters, Helen Clymer and Prudence Oberg; and brother, Donald Graves. Also predeceased by stepsons, Michael Miller and Stephen Miller. Born May 25, 1923 in Bristol, SD, Rev. Graves was a member of the Methodist Eastern PA Conference. He attended Asbury College and the University of South Dakota, graduating in 1945. He attended seminary in New York City at the Biblical Seminary, graduating in 1948. He attended Cromwell School of Theology/Temple University, receiving his Bachelor of Divinity Degree. He was ordained Elder in the Philadelphia Conference, later the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference, of the United Methodist Church, and pastored churches at Giegertown (St. Paul's & Harmony), Honeybrook, Bryn Mawr (Radnor), Thorndale, Bensalem, Elam, and Reeders, retiring in Gettysburg, PA 1985. He moved to Spartanburg 1991 and was active in St. Luke UMC. Funeral services will be 3:00 PM Wednesday, March 15, 2017 at Central United Methodist Church, 233 N. Church St., Spartanburg, SC 29306, conducted by the Rev. Dr. Tom Norrell and the Rev. Dr. Mitchell Kyllonen. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, 1300 Fernwood-Glendale Road, Spartanburg, SC 29307 with visitation at the graveside. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) Fund, 458 Ponce De Leon Ave. NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30308. Floyd's North Church Street Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Rev. Merrill Edwin Graves please visit our Sympathy Store.