Grace Aileen Graham

She was born in Houston, Texas on February 23, 1919 to Clarence L. Youngs and Lillie L. Charpentier Young, as the youngest of three children. She grew up in Rosenberg, Texas, graduating from Rosenberg High School in 1936 at the age of 17. She was then married on December 17, 1936 to Aubrey A. Graham, to whom she was married for 55 years until his death in 1991. She moved with her family to Houston in 1950 and had lived in her home in Timbergrove Manor for 54 years before her illness necessitated her moving to Parkway Place and then later to Autumn Leaves Riverstone. She was a longtime member of Norhill Church of Christ. She had a successful career in banking from 1954 until her retirement in 1980, being employed with Reagan State Bank and Heights Savings and Loans. She was honored with an “Outstanding Woman in Banking of the Year” award during this time.

Our beloved Mother was devoted to and focused on her family throughout her entire life. She treasured the time spent with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and always enjoyed the time that she could spend with each one of them. She also enjoyed traveling to visit family and especially her cruise trips. Above all, she was a caring, generous, and compassionate person who is now at peace with our Lord Jesus Christ.

Grace was preceded in death by her husband, Aubrey A. Graham, her parents, her sister Ruby Waggoner and brother-in-law George Waggoner, her brother Robert Youngs and sister-in-law Mary Youngs, her son-in-law Weldon Whitehead, and her beloved grandson Cy Alexander. She is survived by her 4 children; son Ronald Graham, daughters Layla Whitehead, Beverly Nelson and husband Jim; and Nancy Akery and husband Conrad. She is also survived by 9 loving grandchildren who called her “Mammaw”; Dean Graham, Garon Graham, Jason Graham, Clint Whitehead, Wade Whitehead and wife Jana; Todd Whitehead, Andrew Akery and wife Kim; Beth Malone and husband Patrick, and Annie Backlund and husband David. She is also survived by 8 great-grandchildren; Garon Scott Graham, Cade Whitehead, Jacob Backlund, Jackson Backlund, Cy Backlund, Emily Grace Akery, JP Malone, and Will Malone. Other survivors include numerous nieces and nephews and their extended families, and many special friends.

The family would like to give special thanks to all members of the Buckner Hospice team, who have shown so much compassion and care for our Mother over the past year. We also thank the staff and caregivers at Autumn Leaves Riverstone, who had cared for her so well and with much love during the past five months. A special thanks also to the members of Silverado Hospice and Emerus Hospital for their attentive and compassionate care given to her this past week.

Friends are cordially invited to the visitation with the family being held on Friday, June 28, 2013 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Heights Funeral Home, 1317 Heights Blvd. in Houston. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, June 29, 2013, at 10:30 a.m. in the chapel of the Heights Funeral Home, with burial to follow at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery in Houston. Pallbearers will be Dean Graham, Garon Graham, Clint Whitehead, Wade Whitehead, Andrew Akery, and Patrick Malone. Honorary pallbearers are Todd Whitehead, Conrad Akery, and Jim Nelson.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of American or to Amazing Place, 3735 Drexel, Houston, Texas 77027.