Donald Lee Graham

Donald L. Graham, of Adamsville, TN, was born on July 18, 1929, at home in White County, Illinois to Clyde Graham and Edith (Pollard) Graham. He was the second of six children born into that family. They survived the hard years of the depression by farming and selling their produce and eggs.

Don attended various small country schools before graduating in 1946 from Albion High School in Albion, IL. Shortly after graduation while working as a diesel mechanic for Oilfield Motor Service, he was drafted into the United States Army to serve in combat in the Korean War. He served with distinction from December, 1950, to September, 1952, attaining the rank of Master Sergeant.

On January 24, 1953 he married Ann Kloepper of Cora, Illinois. Together they shared 61 years and had two daughters and a son.

Don developed two successful businesses in Grayville. He was the owner of Graham Insurance and Real Estate and the president of Petro-Halogen Corporation, an oil and gas exploration company. With his real estate knowledge, he was one of the seven original investors of the Windsor Oaks Hotel development.

During his entrepreneurial years, Don served in a variety of civic capacities. He was the President of the Chamber of Commerce, and in that role he was instrumental in helping Spartan Manufacturing and Kasha Industries relocate to Grayville. He was a member of the Grayville Community Arts Association and helped that group secure the downtown theater. He also served on the Tri-County Planning Commission.

Don was a committed member of his church, which was Full Gospel Church in Grayville, IL, and Love and Truth Church in Savannah, TN. He was an avid hunter and golfer, and he loved supporting his hometown sports teams.

Don passed from this life on Monday, April 14, 2014 in Jackson, TN. In addition to his parents, Don was preceded in death by a brother Dellas Graham. He is survived by his wife Ann L. Graham of Adamsville, TN; two daughters, Jan Melton and husband Rob of Evansville, IL, Sherri Cupples and husband Eddie of Jackson, TN; a son, Scott Graham and wife Michelle of Florissant, MO; five grandchildren, Ashley Cupples-Lee and husband Adam, Meagan Melton, Zac Cupples, Jeremy Graham, Jessica Graham; a grt-grandchild, Graham Lee; a sister, Ava Walker of Lawrenceville, IL; three brothers, Densil Graham and wife Gail of Grayville, IL, Ret. Col. Bobby Graham and wife Shirley of Centerville, GA, Larry Graham and wife Jean of Gold Canyon, AZ.

Services will be held on April 16, 2014 at 11:00 AM at Shackelford Funeral Directors of Adamsville, TN with Bill Luther and Philip Meek officiating. Visitation will take place at Shackelford Funeral Directors of Adamsville on Tuesday April 15 from 6:00 PM until 9:00 PM and on Wednesday from 10:00 AM until time of service. Visitation will be on Thursday, April 17, 2014 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Cook Funeral Chapel in Grayville, IL. Burial will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery at Grayville, Illinois

Memorials may be made to Love and Truth Church, Building Fund, P. O. Box 1147, Savannah, TN 38372 or Tupelo Children's Mansion, 1801 E. Main St., Tupelo, MS 38804.