Patricia Ann GRAHAM

June 10, 1941 - June 27, 2018

*Obituary

The union of William “Buddy” Henry and Carolyn Hendrix Rycraw was blessed with a beautiful baby girl, their firstborn, Patricia Ann Rycraw, on June 10, 1941, in North Little Rock, Arkansas. She departed this life at 5:23 a.m., Wednesday, June 27, 2018, surrounded by her family at The Crossing at Riverside Health and Rehabilitation facility in Searcy, Arkansas.
She began her education at Scipio A. Jones School in North Little Rock and later graduated from the White County Training School in Searcy when her family moved to Beebe, AR. Patricia was employed by Buck Powell Restaurant in Jacksonville, Anderson’s Grill in Beebe, Kelly’s Grill in Bald Knob, and General Industries in Bald Knob where she worked until she retired.
She professed a hope in Christ at an early age and united with Mt. Arratt Baptist Church in Beebe where she participated in various ministries of the church including Sunday School, Baptist Training Union, and served as president of the youth choir. After graduating in 1959, she was united in marriage with Leon Eugene Graham, Sr. and to this union five children were born: Leon, Jr. (Bunky), Tina, Kenny, James (Bimp), and Kammi. In 1976 George Smith was adopted by the family.
After moving to Bald Knob, Patricia became an active and faithful member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church where she served in many capacities. She was a member of the Senior Usher Board, the Hospitality Ministry, Moms On Mission (MOM), the Mother Board, and served as the Church Secretary for years before giving up her position to care for her husband during his illness.
Patricia was a tireless worker for the Bald Knob community. She showed a love for ALL children - not just her own, by serving as a 4-H Club sponsor, a Brownie/Girl Scout troop leader, being an active member of the Bald Knob PTA and Booster Club, and diligently supporting the Summer Activity Club for Kids (S.A.C.K.) program at Pleasant Grove. She was a member of the Bald Knob Jaycettes from 1971-1974 and a women’s prayer group called “Have Prayer Will Travel” that went from house-to-house in her community praying for families. She often volunteered during the annual Bald Knob Homefest, she helped to raise money for the March of Dimes, she helped with the Ms. Strawberry Beauty Pageant, she served as the Grand Marshall for the Bald Knob Easter parade in 2012, and she was once affiliated with Providence Chapter, #51, OES-PHA, Brinkley, Arkansas.
God blessed our family with a loving, God-fearing matriarch for 77 years and during those years she touched and enriched the lives of ALL those who knew her. She always put her family first but she would NEVER turn away anyone in need whether she knew them or not. It didn’t matter if they were young or old, man or woman, adult or child, black or white. Our mother was a principled woman who was strong in mind, body, and spirit and whose mission in life was to do what was right. She NEVER met a stranger and all that entered her home were accepted as brothers and sisters in Christ. She was happiest when she was in her kitchen and always had a plate for anyone that was hungry, a place to stay for anyone that was homeless, a sympathetic ear for anyone that was upset and needed to talk, and an accepting and forgiving heart for anyone that was afraid of being judged.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her daughter, Tina Louise Graham Johnson; her son, Leon Eugene Graham, Jr.; and a sister, Carolyn Ann Rycraw Shelton. She leaves to cherish her memory and celebrate her home going: three (3) sons: George Lowell Smith (Tammy) of Phoenix, Arizona; Kenneth Lee Graham, Sr. (Tonya) of Little Rock; and James Anthony Graham (Pamela) of Searcy; one (1) daughter, Kammi Elaine Graham Shannon (Kenneth) of Springdale; one (1) daughter-in-law, Melissa Williams Graham; one (1) son-in-law, Richard Johnson (Gwen); twenty-one (21) grandchildren; twenty (20) great-grandchildren; one (1) sister, Carmen Juanita Rycraw Wilson (Dwight) of Little Rock; one (1) brother, William Lee Rycraw, Sr. of Searcy; three (3) brothers-in-law: Roosevelt (Tiger) Shelton, Sr. of North Little Rock; James Jackson of Rock Hill, MO; and Rev. Roderick (Bones) Smith of Bald Knob; two (2) special nieces: Zina Shelton Neely of Searcy and Tommie Shelton Johnson of Bald Knob; a special nephew, James Hoyle of Atlanta; a dear first cousin, Ruth (Baby Sister) Morgan King; a best friend and cousin, Claretta Hendrix Ross; and a host of other nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
Special recognition to Carrie Ann Washington, Bernice Hudson, Patricia Brown, Norchelle Evans, Victor (Yak) White, Sr., Kim Dennis, Sylvia White Ball, Monique Ball Browning, Patricia Jackson, Ike Chester Watson, Brad Shaver, LaVone (Tweety) Brown and Brenda Colbert.

Contributed on 1/12/22 by hawkinsdonna48
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Record #: 1412087

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