Anne Sullivan Graves' Obituary
Anne Sullivan Graves died peacefully at Allen Morgan Health Center surrounded by family on December 12, 2022. She was born on October 12, 1930, in Atlanta, Georgia to her deceased parents, Richard and Etoile Sullivan. After moving to Memphis when she was 9, she later graduated from Snowden and Central High Schools. She graduated from the University of Tennesse and was second in her class. As a member of Kappa Delta, she was voted SAE Co-Ed of the Year in 1952. Anne was listed in the Who's Who of Students in 1951-1952 yearbook.
She then worked for the National Security Agency where she studied Russian to read and translate documents. In May of 1953, she returned home to marry Frierson M. Graves and moved to Fort Bragg, North Carolina where he was stationed. They returned to Memphis in 1955, six weeks after the birth of their first child.
Anne enjoyed teaching Sunday School at both Evergreen and Shady Grove Presbyterian Churches. She also became involved with the Girl Scouts. Once her own children went to college, she enrolled at the University of Memphis, worked as a graduate assistant, and earned her master's degree in Education. She gained her Tennessee license and after interning with the Memphis City School System, Anne then worked as a School Examiner Psychologist at Covington, Tennessee.
As an avid sports fan, Anne and her husband enjoyed Tiger basketball. They had season basketball tickets and also UT season football tickets. Often, they would attend holiday tournaments, including the 1973 Final Four in St. Louis, Missouri and the 1985 Final Four in Lexington, Kentucky. Anne extensively travelled. She and Frierson visited most of the 50 states, Canada, and Europe. In 2001, they were stranded in London during the September 11 catastrophe and had to stay an extra week. Yearly, the entire family would vacation in Panama City Beach, Florida where Anne and Frierson own a condominium.
Anne easily made friends and would keep them for life. She was very kind but had a wicked sense of humor. She could make you laugh or simply give you a look to make you stop talking. Her hospitality made everyone feel welcome at her home.
She is survived by her beloved husband, Frierson of 69 years, children, Scott (Dawn) and Diane DeBuse, grandchildren, Hollie Gardner (Robert), Ruthie Huey (Jared), Alex Graves (Cassie) step grandchild Jarred Wheeler (Sheila) and 6 great grandchildren.
Visitation will be at Memorial Park Funeral Home on Sunday, December 18, 2022, from 4:00pm until 6:00pm. There will be a private graveside service on Monday.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks friends to make a donation to MIFA or the Midsouth Food Bank, as this program was dear to Anne.
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