Ava Merle Stephens Graham

Ava Merle Stephens Graham of Gautier, MS was peacefully united with the Lord on September 1, 2018 at her daughter’s home in Vancleave, Mississippi with her family by her side after 89 years on this earth. Ava was born in Jones County, MS on November 22, 1928. After many other jobs, Ava came to the Gulf Coast in 1980, taking a job she loved dearly at Northrup Grumman from which she retired at the age of 75 after making many friends and loving many people. She loved nature and found much peace in its beauty. She especially enjoyed gardening and spending time with her little dog, Princess. She was a loving mother, friend, and “Nannie” to many who will miss her greatly. She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Kimble Graham, her parents, Jesse and Versie Stephens, her sister, Ina McKenzie, her daughter, Cathy Hartley, and her grandson, Corey Vaughan. Those left behind to cherish her memory include her son, James (Inez) Graham, her daughters, Lilla Stephens and Gail (Stewart) Mallette, her son-in-law, Howard Hartley, her sister, Alpha (James) Wilson, her brothers, Jarvis and Raymond Stephens, her grandchildren, Shawn (Brenda) Fritts, Stephen Graham, Missy Hunt, Micki (Craig) Wyman, Kimberly (James) Dyal, Chad Hartley, Shannon Hartley (Marvin), Charla (Brent) McKey, Tommy Stephens, Casey Vaughan, Briana Vaughan, Drake Hartley, Jared (Jenny) Hartley, and Melisa (Jeremy) Kunter, and her thirty-one great grandchildren. Her memory will also be greatly treasured by many who had the pleasure of truly getting to know her. She was a wonderful, loving woman, and she will truly be missed. Services will be held at Liberty Baptist Church on Saturday, September 8, 2018 at 11 a.m. with visitation beginning at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be at the church cemetery. Rev. Alan McCord will officiate. Pallbearers will be Dillon Hunt, Dustin Graham, Taylor Graham, Caydon McKey, Brayden McKey, Shawn Fritts, Stephen Graham, and Chad Hartley. Honorary pallbearers will be Stewart Mallette, Howard Hartley, James Wilson, Tommy Stephens, Brent McKey, James Dyal, Craig Wyman, Marvin Isom, and Casey Vaughan. To sign the online guest book, visit www.memorychapellaurel.com.

Ava Merle Stephens Graham

November 22, 1928 - September 1, 2018