GRAVES, Myra Jo (Morrow) - b. August 16, 1936 - d. August 5, 2015

[patyrn]

Myra Jo Graves, 78, of Arkansas City, Kansas, was born to Roy Orville Morrow and Lois Faye (Branick) Morrow on August 16, 1936 in Fredonia, Kansas.  She died August 5, 2015 at Medicalodge of Arkansas City, Kansas.

Myra, along with her sister, Cheryl, grew up in a loving home that instilled lifelong Christian values.  She graduated from Severy High School in Severy, Kansas in 1954 and graduated from Cowley County Community College in Arkansas City in 1955.  She later graduated from Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas in 1973 with a degree in Elementary Education. 

Myra married Life Magazine's high school track star, Richard L. Graves, on September 1, 1955.  Life with Richard was a joy just short of 60 years.  They reared three children, Christi, Tammi, and Devin.  She doted on grandchildren Andrew, Hannah, Aaron, Abby, and Levi.

From the very beginning, Myra took on life with every fiber of her being.  Her 78 years of life centered on others, be it family, friends, or students.  Teaching became the center point of her life for twenty-two years.  Discovery and learning were her mantra as she found joy in sharing that passion with others. She was a wife, loving mother, grandmother, cook, shopper, scrapbooker, seamstress, traveler, kid wrangler, game show watcher, innovator, educator, friends, giver, and lover of life.

Funeral services were held at the First Baptist Church in Arkansas City, Kansas on August 8, 2015.  Burial followed in the Parker Cemetery.  A memorial has been established with the Jefferson Elementary School.  Contributions may be made through the funeral home.  Online condolences may be made at www.rindt-erdman.com.  Arrangements were handled by Rindt-Erdman Funeral Home, 100 E. Kansas Avenue, Arkansas City, Kansas 67005.

(taken from the Rindt-Erdman Funeral Home website)