James Franklin Graves

James F Graves (Jim) entered his eternal life on October 29, 2024 in Knoxville, TN following a brief illness. Jim was born in Little Rock, Arkansas on January 5, 1931 to Joe Graves and Leona Royce Graves. In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by his beloved wife, Betty Graves, his sister, JoAnn Norton, his son James F Graves Jr. and his grandson, James F Graves II (Jimmy).
Jim is survived by his children Debbie (Mark) Hawk, Becky (Jim) Osborn and Joe (Carole) Graves; his 11 grandchildren, Matthew (Jessica) Hawk, Jason, (Laura) Hawk , Kelly(Eric) Hawk Fitzgerald, Meredith Osborn, Megan (Will) Wolf, Jimmy (Emily) Osborn, Emily (Dustin) Denham, Sara (Spencer) LeBlanc, Rachel Graves, Sophia Graves, and Johan Graves; and 9 great grandchildren, Logan, Landon, Layton, Lucas, and Averi Hawk, Emilia Fitzgerald, Lennon and Felicity Wolf, and James Osborn.

Jim was called into the ministry when he was a senior in high school. Jim attended Hardin Simmons University, Southwestern Seminary and Southern Seminary. He was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity in 1972 from Stetson University.

He served as an Assistant Pastor at First Baptist Church (FBC) in Abilene, TX and then relocated to Leesburg, Florida in 1959. He was Pastor at FBC Leesburg until 1968 when he became Pastor at FBC in Vero Beach, Florida. He served there until 1971 when he became Pastor at FBC, St Petersburg, Florida where he remained until his retirement in 1995.

Jim also served in leadership beyond his local church. Jim served on Committees for the Florida Baptist Convention and the Southern Baptist Convention and was elected President of the Florida Baptist Convention in 1972. In addition to those activities, he was active in Kiwanis and Rotary Club through the years.

Jim and his wife, Betty, were faithful servants and traveled throughout Florida while Jim served as interim Pastor for several churches after his retirement. He served as the officiant at hundreds of weddings, including many for his children and grandchildren, and he comforted many families through their own times of grief. His memory will live on through the families he joined together, the weary hearts he comforted, and the congregations he shepherded.

Jim's greatest accomplishment was that of a loving father, grandfather and great grandfather. He will be remembered by all for his integrity, wisdom, caring heart, and faith. His family will remember him for his mischievous sense of humor, his deep belly laughs and his gentle reminders to “pass the salad” instead of argue. His family will miss him dearly, but they rejoice in his eternal life, in his reunion with his beloved wife, and in the promise of seeing him again when we gather together again with our Lord in Heaven.

A private family interment will be held at Crestlawn in Vero Beach, Florida. A celebration of his life will take place in January 4, 2025) at First Baptist Church Vero Beach. Jim's family hopes in lieu of flowers you will consider a donation to your favorite charity or your home church.