History  

The year 1953 saw a dream come true. Thomas E. Graves, Jr., along with his wife Mildred O. Graves, began the fulfillment of a dream that had lived with him since the age of ten ------ establishing a funeral home.

"Tom" (as he is known) searched far and wide for a site for his dream. Finally, after many ups and downs, a site was found on church street in Norfolk, Virginia. Next, he sought the expertise of a friend, the late Herolin Deloatch, who was known for his artistry and skill in design and construction. (he was the builder of L&J Gardens in Virginia Beach, Virginia and many other buildings throughout the Hampton Roads area.)

March 1953 marked the ground breaking for the first funeral home ever designed and built specifically for the purpose of servicing african american families in the Hampton Roads area.

What a job he did in the completing the facility in record time!!!!! On June 15, 1953, open house was held. the public was invited to tour this landmark. For the first time, the african american public was offered a brand new facility to servicE their loved ones.

Graves Funeral Home offered an air-conditioned building with an office, reception room, prep (morgue) room, showroom, slumber rooms, employee lounge, restrooms and a chapel with a separate family area. Families were offered first class service with professionalism, dignity and affordability. As growth continued, the original building was expanded in 1962.

As growth continued, further expansion was anticipated in the late eighties and early nineties. However, news that the widening of the church street corrider put these plans on hold. Finally, in 1987, it was determined that all widening would be done on the west side of church street and therefore, our facility would be taken.

Once again, we were faced with a major decision. There was no doubt in our minds we would rebuild, but where? Fortunately, we were able to secure a site adjacent to the old site. Construction began January 1998 with a tentative move in date scheduled for Septemberr 14, 1998. Ribbon cutting by mayor Paul Fraim and the presence of other dignitaries marked the beginning of a new day and once again, Graves Funeral Home was offering you a new building designed especially for your needs.

The new facility houses five individual slumber rooms. Each one is furnished to offer privacy and comfort to families when viewing their loved ones. We have a chapel which seats more than 200 as well as a reception area, a conference room where arrangements are made in privacy, a state of the art showroom, especially designed for Graves Funeral Home, a prep room with a separate holding area, a staff lounge, private office and restroom facilities to service our clients. As in the beginning, our "motto" remains�."Your satisfaction is our ambition".

We welcome the opportunity to serve you and your family in your hour of need. we offer you professionalism, dignity and affordability. Graves Funeral Home, incorporated the Graves family

Click on the name to view the Bio Infomation
Thomas "TOM" Graves, Jr., Owner & CEO

'Tom', as he is called, is the Founder and CEO of Graves Funeral Home. He is licensed by both the National and States Boards of Funeral Directors and Embalmers in Virginia and North Carolina.

Tom was graduated from the Eckels College of Mortuary Science in Philadelphia, PA. His above average scholastic record earned him a spot in the Lamda Zeta Nu Honorary Scholastic Fraternity.

Graves Funeral Home was established in 1953. It was the first funeral home designed and built to service the African-American Community. His 'motto', 'Your Satisfaction Is Our Ambition' has remained throughout the years.

Tom is the father of Tommy and Lorraine and grandfather to Thomas, IV and Jason.

Mrs. Graves is Vice-President of the company. She assisted her husband, “Tom” in establishing the funeral home in 1953. She was a teacher in the Norfolk Public School System and the same time.

Mrs. Graves is a product of the Norfolk Public Schools and a graduate of Virginia State College with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Elementary Education.

In the early years, she served as Secretary/Treasurer and Bookkeeper for the company. Mrs. Graves is truly the Matriarch of the organization, although modest in her demeanor.She is also mother to Tommy and Lorraine and grandmother to Thomas, IV and Jason.
Thomas "TOMMY" Graves, III, President
- was a standout in Football, Basketball and Track and Field at Lake Taylor High School in Norfolk, Virginia. He was �All-State� in each sport and went on to have a very successful Football career at Michigan State University. He was a member of the All Big-Ten Team and was ultimately drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers where he was a part of the Champion Super Bowl XIV Team. Tommy graduated from Michigan State University with a Degree in Urban and Metropolitan Studies and a Minor in Business Administration and Coaching. In 1980, Tommy joined the firm as an Apprentice. After completing his apprenticeship, he enrolled in the American Academy, McAllister Institute of Mortuary Science in New York City. He excelled in the accelerated one year course and graduated �CUM LAUDE� in September 1984. Immediately thereafter, he passed both the National and Virginia State Boards of Funeral Services and was licensed to practice as a Funeral Service Provider. Tommy is the proud father of two sons: Thomas, IV, a licensed Funeral Service Apprentice and Jason, a graduate of Virginia State University and a licensed Funeral Service Apprentice as well. Tommy is an exceptional professional who is there to service all your funeral needs.
Mildred O. Graves, Vice-President
Lorraine E. Graves, Secretary/Treasurer
- is an honor graduate of Lake Taylor High School and went on to earn her Bachelor of Science Degree with Distinction in Ballet in three years from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. After graduation, she joined the world-reknowned Dance Theatre of Harlem in New York. There, she rose to the rank of Principal Dancer within one year and remained with the company for seventeen years. As a member of Dance Theatre of Harlem, she had the opportunity to perform for the likes of Nelson Mandela, the King of Norway, Princess Diana, Princess Margaret, President and Mrs. Ronald Reagan in honor of British Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher and for President and Mrs. Bill Clinton as well as celebrities such as Bill Cosby, Michael Jackson, Prince, Oprah Winfrey, Whoopi Golberg and many others. She was also fortunate enough to meet many in the business field including Microsoft�s Bill Gates. Lorraine returned home in 1996 to become involved with the family business. She continues to teach and coach dance nationwide and locally at the Governor�s School of the Arts and the Todd Rosenlieb Dance Center. She is resident guest faculty at the Virginia School of the Arts in Lynchburg, Virginia and guest faculty for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. She is permanent guest faculty with Dance Theatre of Harlem and is resident teacher for the Dance Theatre of Harlem/ Kennedy Center pre-professional residency program. She is a member of Who�s Who in America, Who�s Who in Entertainment and Who�s Who Among Women. She is also a member of the Norfolk Chapter of the Links, Inc., the Mayor�s Downtown Task Force, serves on the Board of Directors for Todd Rosenlieb Dance and is the Chairman of the Norfolk Commission on the Arts and Humanities.
Thomas E. Graves, IV, Future Director
- is an aspiring Funeral Director. He is a 2002 graduate of Indian River High School. He is a December 2006 graduate of Ferrum College with a degree in Sports Management and Business Administration. He began his formal training at Graves Funeral Home in February 2007 and became a Licensed Funeral Service Apprentice in July 2007.
Jason Scott Graves, Future Director
- is a 2004 graduate of Indian River High School . He is also a graduate of Virginia State University in Petersburg , Virginia with a degree in Business Management. He is currently a licensed funeral service apprentice for our company, with plans to attend mortuary school to obtain his license.
Lawrence �Butch� Robinson
- has been with Graves Funeral Home for over 40 years. He is a native of Norfolk, Virginia and serves as a Funeral Service attendant.
Michael Washington
- is a native of Norfolk, Virginia and a product of the Norfolk Public School System. He has been a loyal employee at Graves Funeral Home for over 40 years as a Funeral Service attendant.
Rev. Robert L. Bullock, Jr.
is a native of Petersburg, Virginia and has worked in the Funeral Service Business for over 26 years. A product of the Petersburg School System, he graduated in 1962 and continued his studies at John Tyler Community College receiving an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Mortuary Science. He has been a fervent member of our staff for five years.
A Trusted Family........in your time of need.