Curtis Graves

He was born in Milan, TN, on September 10, 1929, to William and Verble Graves.

Curtis was a fearless entrepreneur with a lifetime of starting new businesses. His ventures included a miniature golf course launched in high school with his lifelong friend Reggie Smith, an answering service, an independent telephone company, a multi-state outside plant construction company, an interconnect telephone company sold to Holiday Inns, a tire recapping company with manufacturing plants in three states, a real estate development company, a PBX manufacturer that was the first successful solid-state PBX in the U.S., sold to ITT, a manufacturer of E911 systems private labeled by AT&T, and a manufacturer of central office switches.

Curtis was an avid golfer with a big personality who never met a stranger. He was also a veteran of the Air Force, where he served in Roswell, New Mexico.

He and his wife, Jene, were lifelong residents of Jackson, TN, though they also spent much of their time in Wellington, Florida, over the past 35 years.

Curtis and Jene have been generous contributors to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Johns Hopkins in support of mental health, and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Curtis was a dedicated family man and is survived by Jene, his wife of 69 years, and their four children: Lynn Quirin (husband Dick) of Williamsburg, VA, Rhonda Riffe (husband Earl, deceased) of Jackson, TN, Richard Graves (wife Mary Kay) of Nashville, TN, and Tammy Van Dell (husband Jack) of Wellington, FL. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and three siblings, Joyce Jones, Ruth Ann Williamson, and Billy Mac Graves. He was predeceased by his sister Jeanette Edwards.

The service will be held at 2 PM on Saturday, December 17, 2022, at George A. Smith and Sons North Chapel, at 2812 N Highland Ave, Jackson, TN 38305. Visitation will begin before the service at 12:30 PM, and entombment will follow at Ridgecrest Cemetery, 200 Ridgecrest Rd.

Join friends and family members for a reception following the interment at the Graves' home at 8 O'keena Cove, Jackson.

Instead of flowers, please donate to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at https://www.stjude.org/donate.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.GeorgeASmithandSons.com for the Graves family.