Lanny Ray Graham, Sr.

Lanny Ray Graham, Sr., Memphis resident, former resident of the Hickory Withe Community and husband of Loretta Graham died Thursday evening, July 5, 2012 at his residence. He was 61 years of age and died unexpectedly of natural causes.

Services of Remembrance for Mr. Graham were conducted at 2 P.M. Monday, July 9th at the Peebles Main Funeral Chapel in Somerville with Bro. Mark McSwain of Jackson, Tennessee officiating. Interment was private and arrangements were provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Homes & Cremation Center — Main Chapel of Somerville.

Mr. Graham was born August 1, 1950 in Memphis. He was preceded in death by his parents, James V. Graham, Sr. and Virginia Whitten Graham. He received his education in the Fayette County Public School System and was married April 22, 1988 to the former Loretta Thomas, native of Bogalusa, Louisiana and an employee of the Dixie Restaurant Corporation in Memphis, who survives.

Mr. Graham had been employed as a long distance truck operator throughout much of his life and in earlier years was employed as a truck operator for the H.B. Phillips Company in Memphis and also the VSA Trucking of America. He was of the Baptist faith and was an avid motorcycle enthusiast as long as health permitted. He enjoyed animals and special television programs. Food and fellowship with family members were favorite pastimes.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Graham is survived by two daughters, LaDonna Woolley of Baton Rouge, LA, Laticia Graham Brown of Memphis; two sons, Kevin Manning of Denham Springs, LA, Lanny Ray Graham, Jr. of Memphis; six sisters, Billie Gullett of Mt. Juliet, TN, Pat Culver Farris of Hickory Withe, Vicki Matheny of Horn Lake, MS, Teresa Morris of Hickory Withe, Sandra Wilson of Altamonte Springs, FL, Janet Watson of Jackson, TN; seven brothers, Richard King of Woodburn, OR, Tommy King of Woodburn, OR, James V. Graham, Jr. of Munford, TN, William David Graham of Beaufort, SC, Mike Ward of Hickory Withe, Mark Ward of Somerville, Scott Graham of Hickory Withe; nine grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

Mr. Graham was preceded in death by two brothers, Jimmy King and Tommy Bobbitt.

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