Freddie L. Graves Sr. “Fred” - 86, of Cumming, Georgia departed for his heavenly home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday, February 3rd, 2022 surrounded by his loving family.
Fred is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Barbara, his son Lee Graves (wife: Yvette), grandchildren Samuel, (wife: Taylor), Luke, and Anna, his brother James Paul Graves (wife: Linda); son-in-Law Jeffrey S. Bowen, brother-in-law, James D. Steel (wife: Jane), sister-in-law Mary Jane Klenske, sister-in law Carolyn Steel and many nieces & nephews and their children. He was predeceased by his parents: Fred Lee Graves and Edna Ruth Samples Graves, his daughter, Maresa Bowen as well as brother-n-laws: Ted Klenske and John A. Steel.
Fred was born on August 26th, 1935 in the East Tennessee town of Vonore. He graduated from Vonore High School where he played Varsity football. Fred went on to study mechanical engineering at the University of Tennessee while participating in (ROTC). On July 30th , 1955 he married Barbara Steel, his high school sweetheart. Afterwards, Fred and Barbara moved to Atlanta, where he launched his business career. Fred also proudly served his country in the U.S. Army Reserve. He founded Graves Construction Company in 1966 and built many of the Dairy Queen restaurants in the Atlanta area. He had two children and the family were members of Westminster Presbyterian Church.
In 1975, the family moved north of the city to the then small town of Cumming, Georgia. There, they established roots in the community and made many friends. Fred continued his construction business and built many steel buildings in metro Atlanta and north Georgia. Fred was a true entrepreneur who eventually went on to co-found Graves-Williams, Inc., in 1977, later Graves Fireplaces, Inc., and Graves Overhead Doors, Inc. in 1998. Both businesses are still family-owned and operating today.
He was a member of Waypoint Baptist Church (formerly North Lanier Baptist Church), where he served as a deacon and was a member for 33 years. Fred served as the general contractor for the construction of the church’s first sanctuary building built for the North Lanier congregation. Fred also served for a time as a local member of the Gideons International, a ministry of Christian businessmen focused on the distribution of Bibles worldwide. He was a man who dearly loved God, his family, and his country. He eagerly shared the good news of the gospel when given an opportunity.
Fred lived a fulfilling life. He had a lifelong passion for the outdoors and especially enjoyed taking hunting trips in the fall with family and friends. He and his brother-n-law, John, loved spending time at the family farm together working and planting food plots for deer. He loved his grandchildren and invested time with them. In his later years, he could often be found working in his yard and gardening at home on the weekends. Fred enjoyed getting to know and helping people and was a friendly man.
The family will receive friends between the hours of 1pm- 4pm & 6pm- 8pm on Friday February 11, and from 11 am, until the hour of service at 12noon on Saturday February 12, 2022 . Interment will follow at Sawnee View Gardens. McDonald & Son Funeral Home will be overseeing the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the family ask that donations may be made to:
Waypoint Baptist Church
829 Atlanta Hwy
Cumming Ga 30040
https://waypoint.live/
Or
Byelorussian Mission
7530 Campground Rd. Cumming Ga 30040
https://byelorussianmission.org/
