Graham Jr., Joe

Joe Graham Jr., 92, of Dublin, Va., died early Thursday morning, July 16, 2009, at his residence following a long illness. The son of the late Joe Graham Sr. and Janie Draper Graham, he was born in Drapers Valley on January 12, 1917. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 49 years, Lucille Whitman Graham; a son, Joseph Samuel Graham; six sisters; and a brother.

Mr. Graham was a life-long farmer and during World War II served on the Guard Force at the Dublin Bagging Plant while continuing his farm operation. An employee of Appalachian Power Company during the building of the Fairlawn Community, he enjoyed telling of digging by hand the hole for the first electric power pole there. He served on the board of the Farmers Home in Pulaski County. He was a member of the New Dublin Presbyterian Church and served on the board of deacons.

He is survived by a son, David Draper Graham, of Brooks, Maine; two daughters, Sidney Graham Hatsell, of Dayton, Ohio, and Jane Whitman Graham, of home; three granddaughters, Elizabeth Hatsell Manz, of Dayton, Ohio, Carol Hatsell Smith, of Bristol, Tenn., and Ashley Lucille Graham, of the home; four great-grandchildren, Emily, Abby and Cameron Manz, of Dayton, Ohio, and Morgan Smith, of Bristol, Tenn.; and a sister, Janie Graham Wilson, of Suffolk.

A graveside service will be held 3 p.m. on Saturday July 18, 2009, in the Draper’s Valley Presbyterian Church Cemetery with Russell Shaw, lay minister and close family friend, officiating. Friends may call at the home anytime on Friday or Saturday. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.seaglefuneralhome.com Arrangements by Thomas M. Seagle & Sons Funeral Home, Pulaski, Va.