Sarah Graham

Mrs. Sarah Frances Summers Graham, 84, of 818 Salisbury Avenue, Statesville, passed away at Iredell Memorial Hospital on Sunday, February 15, 2015, following an extended illness. She was born in Iredell County on May 26, 1930, and was the daughter of the late Frank Isaac Summers and Mary Sylvia Neills Summers. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Franklin Nathaniel Graham, a daughter, Vanessa T. Shuford, a granddaughter, Desiree Veronique Graham and a brother, Franklin Reaves. She was a graduate of Unity High School and for several years was a cook in the cafeteria at Unity. Later she worked at Fat Boys for many years as a cook. She worked also as a toddler teacher at the Future Generation Child Development, Inc. She attended St. John Baptist Church for many years and later moved her membership to First Greater Living Missionary Baptist Church serving in numerous capacities including the Senior Choir, Missionary Department and as a Deaconess. She served faithfully as long as her health allowed. She leaves to cherish the memory of her life one son, Roger Craig Graham of Troutman; one daughter, April LaNell Houston of the home; one brother, Frank Frost of Cleveland Heights, Ohio; two sisters, Marjorie James of Statesville and Jean Grimes of Washington, D.C.; five grandchildren, Thomas Graham, Earl Graham, Charnelle Shufford, Marcus Harris, Shaina Shuford; eight great grandchildren, Kiaira Shuford, Kaliah Shuford, Okeiro Shuford, Tanasia Shuford, Talasia Shuford, Helen Harris, Naomi Harris and Bryson Ebis; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, church family, neighbors and dear friends. Celebration of Life Services will be conducted Sunday, February 22, 2015, at 2:00 p.m. at First Greater Living Missionary Baptist Church. Rev. John D. McDonald, Jr., Pastor will officiate and Dr. John D. McDonald, Sr., Pastor Emeritus will eulogize with burial following in the Belmont Cemetery. Mrs. Graham will remain at Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home until taken to the church to lie in state at 1:00 p.m. Members of the family will receive friends at the church from 1:30 until 2:00 p.m. Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home is serving the Graham Family.