Henry P. Graham

Henry Prentice Graham, 94, Attalla, beloved and devoted son, husband, father and friend, died Wednesday, September 16, 2015. He is survived by his daughters, Emily and Anne, his church family and his many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jessie Bena Sitz and Francis Prentice Graham and his college sweetheart and precious wife of 64 years, Isabel Orr Graham.

Born June 2, 1921, he was a lifelong resident of Attalla’s Hughes Avenue and was a friendly and familiar face in downtown Attalla, who never met a stranger and tried to help and be a Christian witness wherever he could. He was proud of his Etowah County (Sitz) and Scottish (Graham) heritage. When his grandfather, George Penman Graham, came to America, he worked in Thomas Edison’s lab. After moving his family to Alabama, George pioneered the early days of Birmingham’s and Gadsden’s steel industry. Henry’s great-grandparents, Eliza and Andrew Jackson Sitz, and grandparents, Henrietta and Henry Anderson Sitz, were founding members of First Baptist Church of Attalla, where Henry was honored as a Life Deacon. Henry faithfully served as Chairman of Deacons, Sunday School and Training Union Director and teacher, and Centennial Committee Chairman. He enjoyed working with the young people for over 50 years, organizing and chaperoning many youth trips and events. He loved and could “tell tales” on his multitude of church children. He was a Salvation Army Red Kettle Bellringer and a life member of PTA, Kiwanis and American Legion. A WW II U.S. Army veteran of the Pacific Theater, 1941-1946, he achieved the highest enlisted rank of Sgt. Major of South Pacific Base Command and was recommended for OCS. Employed by the U.S. Post Office for 36 years, he retired as Attalla’s Assistant Postmaster in 1977. He started Graham Vending Sales in 1955 and, later with his wife, Antiques Spoken Here. The Grahams’ vending and antique shop and warehouse were located downtown for decades. The Grahams enjoyed traveling to antique auctions, and were loved and respected dealers. Henry’s fellow dealers named him “Mayor” of Atlanta’s Lakewood Antique Market, where he started Sunday services that he conducted every month. Happy and proud that his daughters shared their parents’ interest and continued the family business, he enjoyed “advising” them and sharing his expertise with friends and fellow dealers. A member of the Etowah County High School Class of 1939, he helped establish their College Scholarship Program and served on its annual selection committee. The annual scholarship is still awarded to a graduating senior. As Etowah’s PTA president and an active booster, he ran the stadium’s concession stand for many years with his classmate and childhood friend, Charles Rowan.

Pallbearers are Bob Cross, Excell Hester, Bob Lankford, Clark Lewis, Joe Mayo, Larry Means, Matthew Vance and Dennis Wilhelm.

Honorary pallbearers are his Hughes Avenue and church children, family and friends.

Visitation , 12:30 -2:00 p.m., and funeral, 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 22, 2015, at Collier-Butler, Gadsden, followed by graveside service at Forrest Cemetery. Rev. Earl Mitchell officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to First Baptist Church of Attalla Building Fund.

Special thanks to Mattie, Holly, Karen, Candy, Frankie, Vickie, and Gadsden Regional 9th Floor Staff.

To the end, he lived his faith and loved his family, friends and football. ROLL TIDE, Daddy!

Online condolences may be made at www.collier-Butler.com.