Clara Eleanor Graves, family matriarch
Clara Eleanor Graves, 92, of Georgetown passed away at home Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021. She was born Dec. 10, 1928, in Laurel, daughter of the late Robert Purnell and Ethel Gertrude Clara (Elliott) Conaway.
Mrs. Graves attended Laurel High School and then continued her studies at Goldey-Beacom College in Wilmington, where she earned a business degree. She married the love of her life, Lewis Barlow Graves Jr. Dec. 27, 1947. Mrs. Graves worked at the family business - Graves Block & Supply Co. and Holiday Trailer Park along with her husband for many years. She was the family's matriarch and raised seven beautiful children.
In her spare time, Mrs. Graves could often be found doing jigsaw and crossword puzzles or reading. She was an excellent cook and a talented singer, and was very active in her church and in the church's choir. Above all, Mrs. Graves enjoyed spending time with those she held most dear. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. She was loved by many and will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
In addition to her parents, Mrs. Graves was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 50 years, Lewis B. Graves Jr.; her sons: Lewis "Louie" Barlow Graves III and James Milton Graves; her grandson, Phillip Jester; and her sisters, Dorothy Horner and Shirley Wheatley.
She is survived by her son, Robert Lewis Graves (Nancy Byrd) of Lewes; her daughters: Marion "Patti" Miller of Georgetown, Cindy Lou Riniker (Doug) of Millsboro, Clare Elizabeth Belote (Ames) of Milton and Trudy G. Carey (Ray) of Georgetown; her brother, Joseph E. Sullivan of New York; her grandchildren: Bryan Graves, Rob Masten, Chris Masten, Tommy Lynch III, Steven Riniker, Scott Riniker, Amy Vest and Kelly Miller; her great-grandchildren: Savannah Masten Rowland, Elaine Masten, Ryah Masten, Colby Lynch, Ryelee Lynch, Jonah Riniker, Evelyn Riniker, Anastasia Riniker, Lane Riniker, Samantha Vest and Jeremy Vest, Seth Jester and Evan Clarke; and her great-great-grandchild: Layna Rowland.
Funeral Services will be held Thursday, Aug. 19, at 11 a.m., at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes, where friends may call beginning at 10 a.m. Interment will follow the services at the Bethel United Methodist Cemetery, Savannah Road, Lewes.
Mrs. Graves asked that in lieu of flowers anyone wishing to donate may do so to the Bethel Methodist Church, 129 W. 4th St., Lewes, DE 19958.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing protocols must be observed and masks must be worn by everyone participating in any aspect of the service.
All who cannot attend in person are invited to join the services via livestreaming by visiting the following link: http://www.parsellfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/permalink/10081859/LTWebcast.
Please visit Mrs. Graves's Life Memorial Webpage and sign the virtual guestbook at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.
