E.L. "Larry" Graham

E.L. "Larry" Graham, age 100, resident of Lexington, Tennessee and husband of Sue Price Graham, departed this life Saturday, April 11, 2015 at the Morningside Healthcare Center in Jackson, Tennessee.

Services of Remembrance for Mr. Graham were conducted at 3 P.M. Tuesday, April 14th at the Peebles Main Funeral Chapel in Somerville with Dr. Marty Comer, pastor of Sand Ridge Baptist Church in Lexington, officiating. He was assisted by Bro. Keith Runyon. Interment with Military Honors followed in the Fayette County Memorial Park Cemetery on Highway 64. Arrangements were provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Homes & Cremation Center - Main Chapel of Somerville.

Mr. Graham was born May 4th, 1914 in Somerville, Tennessee, the youngest of four children born to the late Georgia Hensley Graham and Edward Graham. He served in the Navy during World War II where he saw action primarily in the Pacific, including Iwo Jima. His unit also participated in one of the largest flotillas assembled during the war as part of the North African campaign "Operation Torch". His Navy tours included stints on the USS' Nightingale, Custer, and Napa. Upon his discharge from the Navy in 1945, Mr. Graham traveled the country, eventually marrying and settling in Ridgefield, Washington, where he raised three children. He had a strong work ethic and for many years worked double shifts to support his family.  He retired from public service in 1980 in Washington State where he worked for the local County government.

In addition to his travels abroad, Mr. Graham visited all 50 states in the United States of America. He enjoyed gardening and generally planted enough to feed the neighborhood. In 2000, he reconnected with a former girlfriend from his childhood in Somerville, and they married in 2001. He and his wife settled first in Paris, Tennessee and later moved to Lexington. He attended Seminary in his early years and was a devout Christian. Three years ago, accompanied by his daughters, Mr. Graham traveled to Israel to visit the Holy Land, a trip he had always dreamed of taking. Wherever he went, Larry's sense of humor and descriptive stories always guaranteed an audience.  A doctor once asked him to what he attributed his longevity and Mr. Graham responded, "I studiously avoid doctors and undertakers."

Mr. Graham is survived by his wife Sue Price Graham; his daughters, Lauren and Ellen, three grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and two stepdaughters.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Leslie Graham.

Those honored to serve as casketbearers were Donnie Warf, John Treadway, Mark Lazenby, Ken Moss, Gene Price and David Price.

Honorary casketbearers were Morris Graham, Howard Benton and Alec Moore.

The family requests that memorials be directed to the church, charity or organization of the donor's choice.