Obituary of Mary Ann Graham

Mary Ann Rain Graham, age 76, was born September 9, 1932 to J.C. "Bill" and Ila Dee Etheredge Rain. After Dr. W.C. Young delivered the younger sister of Theron Eugene and Evelyn Elizabeth, he selected a young cow as payment for his services. Mary Ann grew up in Chiefland and attended Chiefland High School. She loved the outdoors and enjoyed playing basketball. She especially loved diving from a rope swing and swimming in the boil at Manatee Springs. At age 15, Mary Ann fell in love with handsome, 19 year-old, Kenneth Graham. Married on the 4th of July, 1948, their marriage of 61 years was blessed with six children; Melanie, Andrea, Jack and Jill (twins), Jann and June. Mary Ann was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother and aunt, and devoted her life to the care of others. Famous for her country cooking and biscuits, she was also an Avon representative for over thirty years, loved to travel and was given the nickname, "Mary Go". Extremely patriotic she attended all political rallies, served as second foreman on the first woman jury selected in Levy County, never missed voting, and once held the record as longest serving poll worker. She had a flag on her car, a flagpole in her yard, decorated her home with patriotic symbols, and often wore red, white and blue. She was a former member of Hardeetown Baptist Church where she served as VBS "cookie lady" and was on the church wide hospitality committee. She was a current member of First Baptist Church of Chiefland. Mary Ann was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor in November of 2008. Given only a short life expectancy, she returned home where she remained under the constant love and care of her family, Suwannee River Economic Council and Haven Hospice. She passed from this life on July 26, 2009. Mary Ann was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Graham; brother, Theron Rain and sister, Evelyn Graham. She is survived by her children, Melanie and David Allen, Andrea and Dale Knuckles, Jack Graham, Jill and Don May, Jann and Stan Underwood, and June Greenlee, 20 grandchildren, 34 great grandchildren, two sisters-in-law, Ida Mae Watson and Ruth Rain, many nieces, nephews, extended family and close friends. Visitation will be Tuesday July 28, 2009 from 5-8 pm at Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services of Chiefland. Funeral Services will be Wednesday July, 29, 2009 at 4pm at Hardeetown Baptist Church in Chiefland, with Dr. Ed Johnson and Rev. Travis Hudson officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to Harmony Pregnancy and Resource Center PO Box 2557 Chiefland, FL. 32644 and/or Haven Hospice of the Tri Counties 311 N.E. 9th Street Chiefland, FL. 32626 Arrangements are under the care of Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services 1301 N. Young Blvd. Chiefland, Florida 32626 (352) 493-0050