George W. Graham, Iii

George W. Graham III, 95, of Lynchburg, died Sunday, October 24, 2010 at the Hospice Unit of Virginia Baptist Hospital. He was the husband of the late Christine Martin Graham for 64 years.

Mr. Graham was born in Lynchburg on July 19, 1915. He was the son of the late George W. Graham, Jr. and Nannie Elizabeth (Scott) Graham.

He is survived by his son Jim Graham and his wife Sharon; daughter Anne Bryan and her husband Bill all of Hampton; and son Bill Graham of Lynchburg; five grandchildren, Chris Graham of Gloucester and Lauren Wood of Yorktown, and Jessica, Joel, and Josh Graham of Lynchburg; and one great-granddaughter, Morgan Wood of Yorktown. He is also survived by a sister, Virginia (Graham) Jones; a brother-in-law, Dr. Earl D. Martin and his wife Margaret; and two sisters-in-law, Evelyn (Martin) Henning and Beryl Martin. He was preceded in death by another brother-in-law, Walter S. Martin Jr.

He was a long time member of First United Methodist Church where he served as Chairman of the Administrative Board, as a Trustee, on numerous committees, and as President of the United Methodist Men and the Christopher Winfree Sunday School Class. He became an active member of Chestnut Hill United Methodist Church following its merger with FUMC. He thoroughly enjoyed his membership and participation in the Barrow Fellowship Sunday School Class and loved his entire church family.

Mr. Graham served in the US Army during World War II. From 1932 to 1975, he was employed at J.P. Bell Company where he served as Manager for several years before moving to Brown Morrison. He worked there until his retirement in 1984. He volunteered at Daily Bread and with his wife delivered Meals on Wheels.

He was a devoted caregiver to his wife for years as she suffered from dementia. He also ensured his Lynchburg grandchildren got on the bus to school and met them in the afternoon. He loved his family and always enjoyed family meals and get-togethers.

For many years he received great pleasure working in his yard at home. He carried that gardening skill with him to Valley View Retirement Community, taking pride in his flowers and tomato plants these past two years. He truly enjoyed the wonderful staff, fellow residents, and especially his dinner buddies at Valley View.

A funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 on Wednesday, October 27, 2010, at Chestnut Hill United Methodist Church. Rev. Becky Cloud will preside. Interment will follow at Spring Hill Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg,  from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, today, October 26, 2010.

Those wishing to make memorial contributions may consider Chestnut Hill United Methodist Church, Windows & Painting Fund, 4660 Fort Avenue, Lynchburg, VA 24502.

The family wishes to thank the many caring individuals at Westminster Canterbury and The Carrington, Dr. John Ed Williams, as well as Lynchburg General Hospital and the Hospice Unit at Virginia Baptist Hospital, who assisted him during his final days.

Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg, is in charge of arrangements, (434) 237-9424.