John Tate Grafton

John Tate Grafton, 94 On Wednesday, February 13, 2013, John Tate Grafton, Jr. went to his heavenly home. He passed away at his residence with his loved ones near. Funeral service will be held at 11 o’clock on Saturday at Memory Chapel of Laurel with burial in Indian Springs Baptist Church Cemetery. Dr. Randy Turner will officiate. Mr. Grafton was preceded in death by his beloved wife of fifty-four years, Lorene Moseley Grafton; his father and mother, John Tate Grafton, Sr. and Aline Balch Grafton; son-in-law, David Robert Brown; brothers and sisters-in-law, Thomas Webber Grafton and Hazel G. Grafton, Daniel Frank Grafton and Jimmie G. Grafton; and infant brother, Jack Ramsey Grafton. He was also preceded in death by his in-laws, Robert Chester and Carrie Mosley; brothers-in-law, Elmer Moseley, Cecil Moseley, and Nathan Moseley; and sisters-in-law, Dorothy M. Williams and Mildred R. Moseley. He served in the Army during World War II in the South Pacific, Townsville, Australia, Leyte, and the Philippine Islands as a Medical Lab Tech Sergeant with the 44th General Hospital. While in the Army he established many cherished friendships and maintained some of them for years. Mr. Grafton was an employee of Masonite Corporation for forty-three years until his retirement in 1981. He was a Supervisor in Quality Control and Testing Department and traveled extensively for the company. He was a charter member and President of the Calhoun Lions’ Club, charter member of the Calhoun Volunteer Fire Department, and Boy Scouts Leader. Mr. Grafton was a devout Christian and was a faithful member of First Baptist Church of Laurel, a Sunday school teacher and a charter member of the Senior Adult Choir. Mr. John was affectionately known as “Pawpaw” by many due to his loving kindness and gentle spirit. He is survived by two daughters, Lana G. Walters (James) and Judith G. Brown, all of Laurel; son, John Tate Grafton, III of Baton Rouge, LA; and daughter-in-law, Linda Grafton of Natchez; five grandsons, Stephen R. Brown (Lynsie) of Laurel, John Tate Grafton, IV of Baton Rouge, LA, William Asa Grafton (Kelly) of Perry Hall, MD, Mark G. Brown (Lauren) of Laurel, and Charles Bryant Grafton (Chrisitina) of Baton Rouge, LA. He also leaves five great-grandchildren, Avery Elizabeth Brown, Emory Katherine Brown, and Macie Grace Brown of Laurel, Margaret Ruth Grafton of Perry Hall, MD and Baby Brown of Laurel; brothers, Lauren E. Grafton of Collins and Joe C. Grafton (Shirley) of Brandon; sister, Erin E. Grafton of Theodore, AL; sister-in-law, Virginia Grafton of Laurel; brother-in-law, M. L. Williams of Moselle, MS; and numerous nieces and nephews. Pallbearers are Larry Grafton, Dan Grafton, Bobby Stevens, Noel Rogers, Ray Bush, and Lozon Meadows. Honorary pallbearers are Ralph Simmons, Frank Taylor, Robert Rayburn, John Carrigan, Don Norman, Doyle Wheat, and Jimmy Little. Visitation will be held prior to the service on Saturday from 9 to 11 o’clock at Memory Chapel of Laurel. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Building Program or the Gideons of America. Memory Chapel of Laurel is in charge of the arrangements.

John Tate Grafton

September 18, 1918 - February 13, 2013