GRAVES

Gloria Dell Howard Graves, a lifetime resident of Bogalusa, was born May 20, 1936, to Lillie Pearl Gant Howard and Othello Howard.

She attended school in Bogalusa, graduating from Central Memorial High School in 1954. After high school, she later attended Southern University in Baton Rouge, earning a Bachelor of Science degree. She later attended Southeastern Louisiana University where she received a Master’s degree in Education plus 30 hours.

She taught school in Slidell for three years and later returned to teach at Central Memorial High School. She later taught at Bogalusa High School where she retired after 32 years. She believed that teachers who loved teaching helped students to love learning.

She was a faithful member of Bethlehem Baptist Church.

She was married to Darnell Isiah Lawrence Graves and from this union were born three children. She later married Deacon Wardell Willis.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Lillie Pearl Gant Howard; her father, Othello Howard; and her husbands, Darnel Graves and Wardell Willis.

She leaves to mourn, her beloved children, Karen Deneen Graves of Lawrenceville, Ga., Erin (Rene) Owens of Bogalusa and Darren Gerard Graves of Atlanta; special cousins, Melba Howard of Chicago, Elizabeth Gant of Zachary, and Lillie Brown, and Clarence “C.J.” Quinn Jr., both of Bogalusa; a son-in-law, Rene Owens of Bogalusa; a sister-in-law, Betty (Mayfield) Kiper of Baton Rouge; and a host of nieces, nephews and many wonderful friends.

Visitation will be held Friday, June 7 from 2-6 p.m., with a family hour from 6-7 p.m. at Crain & Sons Funeral Home in Bogalusa.

The funeral service will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at Mt. Bethel Baptist Church, with Elder Christopher Matthews officiating. Interment will follow in the Bogalusa Cemetery.

Please sign the guestbook: www.crainandsons.com.