Elder Mathew Graham, age 89 passed away Tuesday, June 2, 2020 at The Myrtles Nursing Center in Columbia, MS. He was born in Jefferson Davis County, MS and was a longtime resident of Columbia. Elder Graham was a veteran of the US Army and served during the Korean Conflict where he obtained the rank of SGT Mathew Graham. He was also a Baptist Minister and a member of New Union Baptist Church. Elder Graham preached the gospel and pastored churches in Mississippi for 50 years.
Elder Graham was preceded in death by his parents, Lyman Graham and Maude Mays Graham; step-mothers, Maybell Skaggs, and Gladys Graves; a sister, Bonnie Graves; brothers, David Graham, James Graham, Bolton Graham, and Kenneth Graham; and step-brothers, Harland Skaggs, Garland Skaggs, James Graves, and John Graves. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Juanita Randall Graham of Columbia; three daughters, Dora Pounds, and her husband, Don, of Eupora, MS, Lisa Nolan and her husband, Stacy, of Columbia, and Lorna Patterson and her husband, Tim of Eupora; three sons, Walter Graham and his wife, Becky of Mena, AK, Wylie Graham and his wife Kay, and Mark Graham, both of Columbia; brothers-in-law, Austin Randall of Columbia, and Bruce Randall and his wife, Pat of Birmingham, AL; 11 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 6:00pm until 8:00pm on Thursday, June 4, 2020 at New Union Baptist Church. Funeral services will be at 2:00pm on Friday, June 5, 2020 at the church where friends may visit with family from 1:00pm until service time. Elder Darren Webb, Elder Wilford Knight, and Elder Wylie Graham will preside over the service. Interment will follow at New Union Cemetery assisted by Brydon Terrell, Nate Smith, Mat Graham, Jon Nolan, Edward Entsminger, and Matt Miley as pallbearers.