Mildred Ruth Grafton

Mama: God Saw that you were weary So He did what He knows best.

He came and stood beside you, And whispered, “Come and rest.”

You bid no one a last farewell, Not even a goodbye.

You were gone before we knew it, And only God knows why.

We will miss you dearly and never forget you.

Love,

Jackie, Donna and Jewel

LTributes oving

She Is Gone

By David Harkins You can shed tears that she is gone or you can smile because she has lived.

You can close your eyes and pray that she’ll come back or you can open your eyes and see all she’s left.

Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her or you can be full of the love you shared.

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.

You can remember her and only that she’s gone or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.

We love you Grandma, Grammy and will miss you dearly, Dawn, Jerald, Joy, Candyce, Jennifer Armani, Taylor, Jerald Jr, Langston, Jacob, Natalie, Jazmine and Jaxson

C

herished Memories

Reflections Reflections of Life

Mildred Ruth (Polly) Branscomb Grafton was born September 6, 1924 in Memphis, TN to the union of the late Jacob Lee Branscomb and Louise Slaughter Branscomb. She was the second child of a family of seven children, Louise Wilson, Marie Swearingen, Dorothy Branscomb, Helen Hose, William Branscomb (all deceased), and Margaret Yates (San Antonio). Her husband of 64 years, Judge (Bubba) Grafton preceded her in death. On July 6, 2019, at the age of 94, God called His child home to reunite with her parents, siblings, and husband.

Baptized at an early age; she loved the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She grew up attending East Trigg Baptist Church and would take her children every Sunday. Mildred remained a faithful member at East Trigg until she joined Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church.

After graduating from Booker T. Washington High School, she traveled to Salt Lake City where she and her high school sweetheart, the late Judge (Bubba) Grafton were married.

To this union, three children were born, Jackie Wayne Grafton (Phyllis), Donna Yolette Thomas (Reuben) and Jewel Elice Wilburn (Eric).

Polly started her working days as an elevator operator with the Park Hotel along with her late sister, Dorothy. She went from there to work with KarHill Cosmetics as a helper. When that business closed, she began working at Levy’s Department Store (Gus Mayer) on South Main Street as an inventory clerk. She was promoted as assistant to the Bridal Manager at Levy’s and ended her career as a sales associate at Goldsmith’s (now Macy’s) on South Main Street. Polly also helped promote her husband’s shoe repair business working at the business on her off days and weekends.

After retiring, she then worked alongside her niece, Paula Wilson, cleaning buildings. Polly also started catering with her late sister, Dorothy for companies and events throughout Memphis. Her passion was cooking (she and her sisters were excellent cooks), hosting events for family and friends. She could sew and made many of her daughters clothing.

Polly kept her mind sharp by completing Word Seek puzzles, was an avid book reader and even tried to do needlepoint until her eyesight deteriorated.

She leaves five grandchildren, Dawn Grafton (Jody), Jerald Grafton (Shannon) (Houston, TX), Joy Foster (Reggie), Candyce Hogue, Jennifer Brown (Jamal) all of Memphis, eight great grandchildren, Armani Grafton, Taylor Grafton, Jerald Grafton, Jr., Langston Rogers, Jazmine Hogue, Jacob Foster, Natalie Foster, Jaxson Brown and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other family members and friends.

The Celebration of Life

Celebration Mildred Ruth Grafton Tuesday, July 16, 2019 • 11:00 A.M.

Greenwood C.M.E. Church

3311 Kimball Avenue • Memphis, Tennessee 38111

Reverend Omar Dykes ~Pastor & Officiating~

Prelude Processional Musical Selection..................................................................Greenwood CME Church Choir Scripture Readings:

Old Testament...................................................................................Rev. Omar Dykes

Pastor - Greenwood CME Church

Pastor - Mt. Moriah Baptist Church

New Testament..........................................................................Dr. Harvey B. Jackson

Prayer of Comfort.....................................................................................Dr. Inetta F. Rogers

Grace Missionary Baptist Church

Solo......................................................................................................Mr. Anthony Coleman

Expressions

(Three Minutes Please)

Eric D. Wilburn – Family Jerald W. Grafton – Grandchildren Michael L. Peery – Cousin Desoto Gilmore - Neighbor Musical Selection.................................................................Greenwood CME Church Choir Acknowledgements................................................................................Mrs. Vicki R. Palmer

Silent Reading of theObituary (soft music)

Solo......................................................................................................Mr. Anthony Coleman Eulogy..............................................................................................Rev. Bethel L. Harris, Jr.

Pastor - St. James CME Church, Presiding Elder, Northwest District

Recessional “Remains will not be viewed after Eulogy”

~ Acknowledgement s ~ A friendly smile, a casual touch, these are things that mean so much. To know you are with us in our time of sorrow, sharing our prayers, today and tomorrow. God gives us the comfort in the form of family and good friends. May His peace be with you, His love never ends.

Special Thanks to the loving and compassionate caregivers: Mrs. Bonnie Williams, Miss Erica Sanders, Miss Shirley Poole and Mrs. Erma Elliott.

Special Thanks to Greenwood CME Church and their Culinary Staff.

~The Family of Mildred R. Grafton

~ Honorary Pallbearers ~ Terry Bailey Reginald Wilson Barry Ford Jerald Grafton, Jr. Jody Rogers

Jamal Brown Reginald Foster Michael L. Peery Langston Rogers

~ Active Pallbearers ~ Carl Anderson Ronald Clark

Tommy Fischer Michael Green Reginald Green Julian Jeffery Joe “ Mac” Thornton

~Interment ~

Tuesday, July 16, 2019 • 1:15 P.M. West Tennessee Veterans Cemetery Memphis, Tennessee 38125

~Repast ~

Greenwood C.M. E. Church 3311 Kimball Avenue Memphis, Tennessee 38111

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