Sylvia Elizabeth (Jackson) Graves

It is with profound sorrow that Jackson & McGill Funeral Service announces the passing of our very own beloved Mother Sylvia Elizabeth Jackson Graves at the age of 71 in Florence, SC on Friday, August 9, 2019. She was the mother of Calette Graves Grant and the grandmother of Staja Graves, Caliyah Grant, Keeveon Mishoe and Le’Darius Graves-Bell. 

Mother Sylvia Graves was the sister to Jacqueline Jackson McGill, Cynthia Jackson Dewitt, Sharon (Dallas) Platt, Dorothy Lee Jackson (Jimmy) Davis, and Portia Campbell. She was the eldest daughter of Jackson & Daughters Funeral Home founded by her father: Henry L. Jackson which would later become Jackson & McGill Funeral Home. She will be remembered for her dedication to serving families in their time of bereavement.

The Graves family along with Jackson & McGill Funeral Home will be receiving friends at 6624 Cole Rd. Mullins, SC and 906 S. Main St. Marion, beginning 12:00 Saturday August 10, 2019.

Public viewing will be held at the Mt. Ararat Baptist Church, Mullins Friday August 16, 2019 beginning at 12:00 noon. Wake service will be held from 6-7pm. 

 Funeral services will be held at the C. D. Joyner Auditorium 221 Elizabeth St. Marion, Saturday August 17, 2019 at 3:00 pm. She will be laid to rest in the Jackson & Daughters Cemetery, Marion. Rev. Curtis Campbell, Officiating.

Thank you all for your support and please continue to pray for the family of Sylvia Graves and the Jackson & McGill Funeral Home Family.

~ Obituary ~

No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD. Isaiah 54:17

On Wednesday, January 28, 1948, in Sumter, SC, the late Henry Lee Jackson and Culestean Bland Jackson welcomed their first daughter into this world. They would name her Sylvia Elizabeth Jackson. She would grow as the eldest daughter of four girls in the home. 

Throughout grade school until high school graduation Sylvia was known as the sister who was not very outspoken, but more reserved. She was raised to carry herself as a lady, and so she did. This is the quality she would become known for.

After graduating from Johnakin High School with the class of 1965, she attended Boylan -Haven-Mather Academy in Beaufort, SC. She used her time to learn facts about other’s lives. History was her passion. She wanted to know more about kings and queens, than about the local news. She cared more about the history of the United States and the history of the wars this country participated in than the latest trend or fashion.  She was an avid reader and faithful to the Marion County Library. 

She came back home to work with the family business of Jackson & Daughters Funeral Home. Later, she would meet and marry Caldwell Graves of Britton’s Neck, SC. With him, she would create a new life in Jacksonville, FL and together they would welcome two little girls: Calette and Ghesa.

Upon returning to South Carolina her work life included Russell Stover’s Candies, Family Dollar Store, BP Service Station and the local hospital. Though she worked in these capacities, it was her return to her family business that she will be most remembered. She took the most pride in her duties as the night clerk, historian and stewardess at Jackson & McGill Funeral Home. Her interacting with families energized her and her pleasant demeanor often gave a sense of calm to families who were struggling with the loss of their loved ones. If she couldn’t reach out to you she would make sure to make you know that you were on her mind with the cards she would mail to you for very birthday, holiday, bereavement and celebration. How we will miss receiving those cards.

Bethel United Methodist Church was her home church. Here she served as part of the Methodist Youth Fellowship, a Junior Usher, a student in the Sunday School Class and a member of the choir. In 1961, she was baptized in Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church making her a full fledge member. She remained a member of Mt. Pisgah for over 50 years. Most recently, she began to frequently visit Mt. Ararat Missionary Baptist Church, where her cousin Rev. Curtis Campbell is the pastor. She became dedicated to attending the Sunday morning services as well as their Noonday Prayer meetings. 

Sylvia Elizabeth Jackson Graves, was preceded in death by her parents: Henry and Culestean; sister: Janis Sallie Jackson, Mary Cribb Nelson, Helen Thomas and Lillian Thomas; brothers: Henry Thomas and Joseph Cribb; and her daughter: Ghesa Yashiia Graves. 

Those left to cherish her loving memories include her daughter: Calette Grant of Mullins, SC; grandchildren: Staja Graves, Caliyah Grant, Keeveon Mishoe and Le’ Darius Bell; sisters: Jacqueline Jackson McGill and Cynthia Jackson Dewitt both of Marion, SC, Dorothy Lee Jackson (Jimmy) Davis and Sharon Jackson (Dallas) Platt both Mullins, SC and Portia Campbell of Dillon, SC; aunts: Louise Belin of Florence, SC, Francis (Author, Jr. ) Eagleton of Richmond, VA, Shirley (Lawrence) Eagleton of Florence, SC; uncles: William L. Thompson of Florence, SC; sisters-in-laws: Deborah Graves of Sarasota, FL, Wilhelmenia Burch of Gresham, SC; a very special brother-in-law: Rev. Frederic Graves. Very special friends who were dear to her include: Priscilla Bethea, Queen Esther Bell, Daisy Graves, Helen Godbolt and Clara Bennett.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Sylvia Elizabeth (Jackson) Graves, please visit our floral store.