Lester William Graves

A loving husband, father and grandfather passed away at the age of 88 on Good Friday, April 14, 2017, surrounded by his loving family. Lester was a native of Tylertown, MS but lived most of his life in Baton Rouge. He worked as a projectionist for 72 years at all of the theatres in Baton Rouge, most were spent at the Florida Drive Inn and Cortana Cinema. He also had the opportunity and enjoyment of working with the movie crews from Hollywood when movies were filmed in and around the Baton Rouge area. He was a retired member of the IATSE Union of Motion Picture Operators. Lester loved country music and his hobby was playing his guitar with his brother. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Mary Lois Demoulin Graves; five daughters, Lois Anne (Tootie) St. Romain and husband, Dennis, Gayle Graves, Kay Graves, Joanie Saxon and husband, Rocky, and Cindy Lee Graves; eight grandchildren, Denny and Darren St. Romain, Andy Tuccio, C.J. Goodspeed, Shelly and Jamie Saxon, and Erin Gutierrez and Katy Gremillion; nine great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father, William Fleet Graves; mother, Gracie Melton Williams; sister, Vermel Tucker and husband Jim; and brother, A.L. "Pee Wee" Graves. The family would like to invite you to celebrate his life with visitation at Greenoaks Funeral Home 9595 Florida Blvd. on Tuesday, April 18, 2017, from 5 PM until 8 PM and visitation will resume on Wednesday, April 19, 2017, from 9 AM until funeral service at 11 AM conducted by Fr. Philip Spano. Interment will follow in Resthaven Gardens of Memory. Pallbearers will be Dennis St. Romain, Darren St. Romain, Hayden St. Romain, Rocky Saxon, Leandro Gutierrez, and Kevin Rawls. Honorary pallbearers will be Denny St. Romain, C.J. Goodspeed, Andy Tuccio, and Kaden Saxon. Special thanks to Notre Dame Hospice for their exceptional care.