Mrs. Bessie Yvonne Willis Graves

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.  Proverbs 31:10 (KJV)

Mrs. Bessie Yvonne Willis Graves, of 4390 US Highway 158 W, Yanceyville, NC, transitioned from this life on Thursday, February 13, 2025, at Annie Penn Memorial Hospital Reidsville, NC.  She was born on September 18, 1942, to the late James A. Willis and Lillian Turner Willis.

Bessie was a woman of deep faith and devotion. She was a member of Blackwell Baptist Church and attended Corbett Memorial Baptist Church. She was the beloved wife of Reverend James Huston Graves of the home, and together they built a life centered on love, faith, service, and family where they raised their two children.

Bessie was formerly employed at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Washington, DC, where she worked diligently as a Food Service Worker. She was known for her warmth, kindness, and unwavering dedication to her family and those around her.

Mrs. Graves was preceded in death by her parents, James and Lillian Willis; two brothers, James Willis and Percy Willis; one sister, Julia Florence Southern; and one grandson, David Page.

Bessie leaves to cherish her memory to her husband, Reverend James Huston Graves of the home, her loving daughter, Phyllis Yvonne Graves of Yanceyville, NC; her devoted son, Kenneth Troy Graves of Fairfax, VA; six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; five sisters Lillian Ossie Dean Cobb of Yanceyville, NC; Thelma Lea (Emmanuel) of Mebane, NC; Elsie Price of Yanceyville, NC; and Kaylene Linster (Thomas) of Yanceyville, NC Jennifer Southern Gwynn(Tony) of Yanceyville, NC; and two brothers, John Willis(Sophia) of Yanceyville, NC and Hurley Willis(Janie) of Blanch, NC.  She also leaves behind a special nephew, Mark Willis of Yanceyville, NC, and a goddaughter Deanner Lassiter White (Charles) of Woodlawn, MD; a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends who will forever treasure the impact she made in their lives.

Mrs. Bessie Yvonne Willis Graves lived a life that reflected the virtues of a woman of strength, grace, and faith. Her legacy of love and kindness will remain in the hearts of all who knew her.

Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. Proverbs 31:25 (KJV)

A public viewing will be held on Friday, February 21, 2025, from 2:00 pm to 7:00pm in the John & Juanita S. Fulton Memorial Chapel of Fulton-Walton Funeral Home.  

Funeral service to honor Mrs. Bessie Yvonne Willis Graves life and legacy will be held on Saturday, February 22, 1:30 pm at Blackwell Missionary Baptist Church, with family visitation 1:00 pm. before funeral service.

You are invited to attend services for Mrs. Bessie Yvonne Willis Graves virtually by clicking on the following link:

https://www.facebook.com/fultonwaltonfuneralhome/live

Should Live Streaming not be available due to certain conditions resulting from rural location with little to no Broadband connection, no WIFI signal and or little to no cellular coverage, we will record the services of your loved one in its entirety and post a link where you will be able to partake in the services within 48 hours.

Interment will follow at Blackwell Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mrs. Bessie Yvonne Willis Graves, please visit our floral store.