July 1, 1950 ~ August 19, 2024 (age 74)
Obituary
Funeral service for Judy Watson Graves, 74, of Nacogdoches will be held at 2pm on Saturday, August 24, 2024 at Trinity Baptist Church in Lufkin with Bro. Steve Cowart officiating. Interment will follow at Lower Melrose Cemetery in Nacogdoches County. Visitation will be held from 5-7pm on Friday, August 23, 2024 at Laird Funeral Home in Nacogdoches.
Judy walked peacefully into the arms of her beloved Savior on Monday, August 19. She was born in Nacogdoches on July 1, 1950, the daughter of Ed and Irene (Hughes) Watson. Her life, from a very young age, has been a superb display of her unfailing belief in Jesus Christ. Her dedication to the church was impeccable and her devotion to her faith was unwavering. Judy supported the church and gave of her time to many things, including being a loyal member of the Kitchen Crew and Event Crew as well as being a member of the Choir and the Personnel Committee. Any time spent in her presence was time that allowed her to share her love of Christ and she did just that with every opportunity. Her church family was a large part of her daily thoughts and prayers and she loved them all dearly.
When Judy was but a very young woman, she met and married Keith Graves. Together, they have spent the past 54 years devoted to each other. She was employed with Adult Protective Services as a case worker until her retirement when she and Keith were able to enjoy time traveling together but Judy’s favorite trips have been going each year for the past 23 years to Aruba. Her love of travel also led her to open and operate Take Me Away Travel for the past 17 years.
Judy was a daughter, sister, wife and mother and her family was of utmost importance to her. She watched her sons grow into young men and start their own families and when her grandchildren were born, she found joy in watching them and hearing all about their lives and accomplishments. She was also overcome with abundant delight when she became a great-grandmother. Her kitchen was always filled with something delicious she cooked and no one ever left hungry!
Judy is survived by her loving husband, Keith; sons, Shane Graves & wife, Dina and Bryan Graves & wife, Stephanie; grandchildren, Nolan Graves & wife, Candace, Peyton Graves, Caleb Graves & Caroline Arnold, Bryce Graves, Rylie Graves, Hope Dailey and Hunter Dailey; great grandson, Bennett Wesley Graves; brother, Kenneth Watson & wife, JoNell; sisters-in-law, Beth Napier & husband, Bob Golding and Shirley Graves. Judy most recently was happy to find out she would soon add 2 more great grandchildren to her blessings.
She is preceded in death by her parents; mother-in-law, Shirley Bailey & husband, Howard; father-in-law, Robert Graves; and her brothers-in-law, Gordon Graves and Chuck Napier.
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