The Graves

The Rev. Dr. Charles A. Graves, 92, of Spartanburg, died Thursday, November 8, 2012, at White Oak Estates-Spartanburg. Born June 12, 1920, in Marion, SC, he was a graduate of Latta High School. He was the son of the late James Anderson and Florence Collins Graves. Dr. Graves was a minister in the South Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church and served several churches for thirty-nine years before retiring in 1988. His pastorates include: Pinopolis; Cottageville; St. Paul, Saluda; Christ, Greenville; Asbury Memorial, Charleston; First, Lancaster; Bethel, Spartanburg; and Duncan Memorial, Georgetown. After retirement he served as an associate pastor at Trinity United Methodist Church in Spartanburg. He also served as interim pastor of the Reidville Road and Blacksburg United Methodist Churches. Bethel Church elected him Pastor Emeritus in 1991. Since 1991, he has led in dozens of Stewardship Programs in churches across South Carolina. As a pastor, Dr. Graves was noted for remembering the names of his members. Many stories were told about this ability of his. He was also known for his preaching style, using stories and humor to illustrate his points. Dr. Graves attended the Citadel as a veteran student and graduated as first honor graduate in 1953. He received his theological training at the Candler School of Theology, Emory University, graduating in 1955 with a Master of Divinity degree. The Citadel awarded him with an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree in 1979. Dr. Graves was a navigator on a B-29 aircraft in World War II. He flew thirty missions against Japan and was awarded the Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters and the Distinguished Flying Cross with an oak leaf cluster. He served on numerous boards and agencies of the South Carolina Conference. Among these were the Board of Church and Society, the Board of Missions, the Board of Health and Welfare (secretary for four years and chairman for four years), the Equitable Salary Commission, and the Council on Finance and Administration (secretary for four years and president for four years). Dr. Graves also served at various times as a trustee of Spartanburg Methodist College, Epworth Children's Home, and the Southeastern Jurisdiction Agency for the Retarded. Dr. Graves belonged to civic clubs in the towns in which he lived. These included the Lion's Club, the Rotary Club, and The Kiwanis Club in Spartanburg where he served as president in 1980, and a second term in 2002-2003. In 1998, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Award and was made a life-member of The Kiwanis Club. Dr. Graves is listed in Who's Who in South Carolina, and in Who's Who in Methodism. He is the author of two books: The Life, Stories and Prayers of Charlie Graves and Selected Sermons, Prayers and Specials of Charlie Graves. He was also a contributor to a book of Communion sermons, In Remembrance of Me. Survivors include his beloved wife of 62 years, Virginia James Graves; daughter, Becky Parkins and her sons, Sam and his wife Sara of Crozet, VA, and Andrew and his wife Bridget of Salem, VA; daughter, Caryl Jones and her husband Chris and sons, Jacob and Cory of Hendersonville, NC; his sister, Mary Ellen Gerety and her daughter, Fran of Salem, OR; sister-in-law, Jeanette Graves and her sons, Anderson and Charles of Winter Haven, FL; niece, Ann Austin of Blenheim, SC; niece, Dr. Alexa Schlimmer and her husband Jim of Chicago, IL; great-grandchildren, Jack and Carter Parkins of Crozet, VA, and Mara Parkins of Salem, VA; a number of dear nieces and nephews of his wife's family and numerous cousins of the Low Country of SC. Visitation will be 6:00-8:00 PM Sunday, November 11, 2012, at Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel. A private committal service will be held in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens prior to the memorial service. A memorial service will be conducted at 1:00 PM Monday, November 12, 2012, at Bethel United Methodist Church, by the Rev. David E. Nichols, the Rev. David B. Smith, the Rev. Larry Hays, and the Rev. Ron Pettit. Honorary escort will be members of the Loyalty and H. F. Chreitzberg Sunday School classes, The Kiwanis Club of Spartanburg, and minister's and their spouses. Memorials may be made to Bethel United Methodist Church, 245 South Church Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306; or a charity of one's choice. Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of The Rev. Dr. Charles A. Graves please visit our Sympathy Store.