Phillip Ray Graham

Graham Yadkinville- Mr. Phillip Ray Graham, 76, passed away peacefully Thursday, September 25, 2014 at Chatham Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. He was born December 28, 1937 in Forsyth County to the late Martha Inscore Graham and James Ray Graham. Mr. Graham was a 1956 graduate of Yadkinville High School where he was Class President and Valedictorian. He received his Bachelor's Degree in Textile Management in 1962 from N.C. State University where he has remained active with The Wolfpack Club for over 50 years. After graduation he worked from 1962-1967 with Dan River Mills in Danville, Va. In 1968 he moved back to Yadkinville where he worked and later retired from the Department of Veterans Affairs as a Section Chief in the Adjudication Division and was a co-owner of Gra-Mac Irrigation Inc. in Farmington. While living in Yadkinville Mr. Graham served on the Yadkinville Planning Board for several years and was later elected and served as a Yadkinville Town Commissioner until his retirement in 2013. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Yadkinville and then was a founding and charter member of Maplewood Baptist Church. Mr. Graham served as the volunteer coordinator for the construction of Maplewood Baptist Church and served there faithfully as a Deacon and on various committees within the church. He served as the Church Treasurer at the First Baptist Church and Maplewood Baptist Church for a combined total of 40 years. His greatest enjoyment and love was the time he could spend with his family, especially watching his children and grandchildren participate in their various sporting events. Surviving are his beloved wife of 51 years, Carolyn Perkins Graham, of the home; 2 loving sons, David Arthur Graham and wife, Kristie, of Yadkinville; Jason Ray Graham and wife, Angellina "Angie" of Yadkinville; 4 grandsons, Parker Ray Graham, Dawson Andrew Graham, Casey Lee Graham, Wyatt Jason Graham; step-grandson, Seth Alexander Miller; brother, James L. "Jim" Graham and wife, Una; a sister, Lynn Graham Winters; and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 2:00 to 4:00 PM Sunday at Maplewood Baptist Church in Yadkinville. His funeral service will follow the visitation at 4:00 PM in the church with Rev. Jimmy Lancaster and Rev. Richard Eskew officiating. Burial will follow the service in Yadkin Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to either Maplewood Baptist Church, PO Box 576, Yadkinville, NC 27055; Yadkin Christian Ministries, PO Box 204, Yadkinville, NC 27055 or to the Donor's Choice.