Leona Graves
April 24, 1928 — December 1, 2018
Leona Bea Graves, daughter of Cleveland Roy and Vergie Bell (Wooden) Sandage, was born April 24, 1928, in Ridgeway, MO, where she grew up with two older sisters, and two older and two younger brothers. She attended grade school at Eagleville, MO, and graduated from Harlan High School. Next, she attended a Normal Teacher's College and taught country school near Fiscus for three years.
On November 27, 1949, Leona was united in marriage to the love of her life, Horace Philip Graves at Merrill's Grove Church in Fiscus. Six children were born to this union: Janet 1951, Lauree 1953, Rachel 1956, Horace Philip Jr. 1960, Paul 1964, and John 1966.
Leona worked side-by-side with Horace on their family farm. In the fall one could find her in the field on the chopper cutting silage for the cattle. She actively gardened to provide for her family even to this past summer. Leona enjoyed being with people. She taught in her church's Vacation Bible School and Sunday school. She served for many years in the Iowa Farm Bureau and managed their yearly craft fair. Summer would find Leona helping at the Shelby County fair in the baking and canning departments. She received training in Home Health Care and served families in Shelby County. In later years she enjoyed working in the deli at Hy-Vee in Harlan.
Leona died peacefully on December 1, 2018 at the age of ninety years, seven months, and seven days at the home of her daughter with her children around her. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Horace Graves, son John Graves, sisters Alberta Marriott, Yvonne McNelly; brothers Boyd, Lloyd, and Richard Sandage, and two grandsons Johney and Kevin James.
She is survived by her children Janet and her husband Byron Linden of Moville, IA; Lauree and her husband John James of Perkins, OK; Rachel and her husband Kurt Vollers of Central City, NE; Philip Graves and his wife Janet of Bovill, ID; Paul Graves and his wife Harriet of Lowell, MI; 15 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; nieces and nephews; other family members and many friends.
On November 27, 1949, Leona was united in marriage to the love of her life, Horace Philip Graves at Merrill's Grove Church in Fiscus. Six children were born to this union: Janet 1951, Lauree 1953, Rachel 1956, Horace Philip Jr. 1960, Paul 1964, and John 1966.
Leona worked side-by-side with Horace on their family farm. In the fall one could find her in the field on the chopper cutting silage for the cattle. She actively gardened to provide for her family even to this past summer. Leona enjoyed being with people. She taught in her church's Vacation Bible School and Sunday school. She served for many years in the Iowa Farm Bureau and managed their yearly craft fair. Summer would find Leona helping at the Shelby County fair in the baking and canning departments. She received training in Home Health Care and served families in Shelby County. In later years she enjoyed working in the deli at Hy-Vee in Harlan.
Leona died peacefully on December 1, 2018 at the age of ninety years, seven months, and seven days at the home of her daughter with her children around her. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Horace Graves, son John Graves, sisters Alberta Marriott, Yvonne McNelly; brothers Boyd, Lloyd, and Richard Sandage, and two grandsons Johney and Kevin James.
She is survived by her children Janet and her husband Byron Linden of Moville, IA; Lauree and her husband John James of Perkins, OK; Rachel and her husband Kurt Vollers of Central City, NE; Philip Graves and his wife Janet of Bovill, ID; Paul Graves and his wife Harriet of Lowell, MI; 15 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; nieces and nephews; other family members and many friends.
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