Richard Otis Graham
Richard Otis Graham, 86, of Anna, died at 5:10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau.
He was born on May 3, 1934, in Dongola, the son of William F. and Verda McCommons Graham.
On Oct. 16, 1960, he married Yvonne Annette Corbit at Saratoga United Methodist Church. They just celebrated their 60th anniversary.
Mr. Graham served in the U.S. Army from 1956 to 1958.
He was a bakery loader for Lewis Brothers Bakery for 24 years until his retirement in March of 1993.
He was a member of the Union County Cattlemen Association and had served as the president at one time.
He had also served on the University of Illinois 4-H Extension Council. He and his wife entertained many 4-H activities over the years.
He served on the Ebenezer Hall Cemetery board for 36 years.
Mr. Graham was saved, baptized and became a member of the Dongola First Baptist Church as a boy.
After his marriage he attended the Saratoga United Methodist Church until 1972, when he joined the Anna First Church of the Nazarene. There he faithfully served as a trustee on the church board for many years. He was an avid supporter of the children’s Bible quizzing program for over 40 years, opening their home to hundreds of children who studied and learned God’s word.
Mr. Graham loved working on his family farm along with his wife. Together they chopped wood, raised Black Angus cattle and beautiful vegetable gardens.
He is survived by his wife, Yvonne of Anna; daughter Vonda (Brian) Hill of Anna; grandsons Christopher Hill and Michael Hill (fiancé Hailey Whitis), both of Anna; a brother, Thomas Graham of High Ridge, Mo.; sisters-in-law Elaine (Robert) Edwards of Wellsville, Mo., Donna (Larry) Dyer of Foristell, Mo., Diana (Fletcher) Johnson of Harrisburg; a brother-in-law, Dean Corbit of Buncombe; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, William T. Graham of Dongola, Curtis H. Graham of Alvord, Texas, and Walter Graham of Jonesboro; sisters-in-law Carlista Pitts of Jonesboro, Clara Graham of Dongola, Beverly Graham of High Ridge, Mo., Karen Graham of Alvord, Texas, Elizabeth Corbit of Buncombe; a brother-in-law, John Pitts of Cobden; his mother-in-law, Wanda Corbit of Jonesboro; his father-in-law, Lowell Corbit; and his stepmother-in-law, Lois Corbit of Buncombe.
Visitation for Richard Otis Graham will be Thursday, at the Anna First Church of the Nazarene sanctuary from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Funeral services will be Friday, Nov. 13, at 11 a.m. in the church sanctuary, with the Rev. Trenton Ice officiating. Friends can call Friday at the church after 9 a.m.
Interment will follow in Ebenezer Hall Cemetery, with military rights accorded by Carroll P. Foster VFW Post No. 3455 of Anna.
Memorials can be made to the Anna Nazarene Church children’s Bible quizzing program or to Ebenezer Hall Cemetery.
Crain Funeral Home in Anna-Jonesboro is in charge of arrangements.
To view the obituary or to leave an online condolence for the family, visit www.crainsonline.com.