Elizabeth Ann (Wilburn) Graves Gruthoff

wElizabeth Ann Wilburn Graves Gruthoff, known to many as "Sister", age 79, resident of Moscow and wife of the late Thomas Earl Graves, Sr., departed this life Saturday morning, April 30, 2016 at the National Healthcare Center in Somerville.

Services of Remembrance for Mrs. Gruthoff were conducted at 11 A.M. Wednesday, May 4, 2016 at the Early Grove United Methodist Church in Lamar, Mississippi with Bro. Wayne Sheffield, pastor of the church, officiating. Interment followed in the Early Grove United Methodist Church Cemetery. Arrangements were provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Homes & Cremation Center - West Chapel at Oakland.

Mrs. Gruthoff was born October 5, 1936 in the Early Grove Community of Marshall County, Mississippi. She was preceded in death by her parents, James Gideon Wilburn and Katie Edwards Wilburn. She received her education in the Fayette County Public School System and was a lifelong resident of the North Mississippi and West Tennessee areas. She was a homemaker throughout her life and was employed as a teacher’s assistant in the Fayette County School System for 30 years. She was a member of the Early Grove United Methodist Church in Lamar, Mississippi and enjoyed sewing, preparing food and special times with her family.

Mrs. Gruthoff is survived by her daughter, Rita Ammons and her husband, Tony, of Moscow; four sons, Thomas “Tommy” Graves and his wife, Beverly of Eads, Ronald Graves and his wife, Sharon, of Moscow, Donald Graves and his wife, Tina, of Collierville, Ricky Graves and his wife, Sue of Fayetteville, Arkansas; three sisters, Katie Avent and her husband, Wayne, of Hickory Valley, Mary Robertson and her husband, Jimmy, of Ashland, Mississippi, Nancy Avent and her husband, Edward, of Moscow; two brothers, James “Bubba” Wilburn and his wife, Marjorie of Ripley, Mississippi, Joseph “Joe” Wilburn and his wife, Joyce, of Williston; nine grandchildren and seventeen great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Earl Graves, Sr.; her parents, James Gideon Wilburn and Katie Edwards Wilburn; and her brother, Calvin “Tip” Wilburn.

Those honored to serve as pallbearers were Brandon Watkins, Zachary Watkins, Dustin Graves, Nick Francis, Cole Francis and Allen Wilkerson. Honorary pallbearers were Andy Reed, Andy Wilson and Edward Avent.

The family requests that memorials be directed to the Early Grove United Methodist Church, 1085 Early Grove Road, Lamar, Mississippi 38642.