Joan Montez Graves passed away on January 31, 2025. She was 79. Graveside services will be held at 2:00 on Saturday, February 8 at the Bethlehem Baptist Church cemetery located at 416 Bethlehem Rd, Midland City, AL with Doug Seale officiating and Ward Wilson Funeral Home directing.
In lieu of flowers please make contributions to Southern Care Hospice, 2576 Montgomery Highway, Suite 2, Dothan, AL 36303
Montez (known as Monte to friends and family) was born November 20, 1945 in Houston County to the late John Ewell Graves and Mary Ethelene Kennedy Graves. She attended Southside Elementary and Cottonwood High School. Monte was retired from Denney Vision after 45 years of service as the bookkeeper. Her first job was at General Telephone Company as a local and long distance telephone operator. She also worked at Fort Rucker.
Survivors include a faithful niece Barbara Lee who has been her confidant, supporter and caretaker, Barbara’s husband Wayne, their two sons Michael (Denise) and Christopher (Lottie), who held a special place in her heart, a very special great-great niece Evelyn Lee, and Monte’s faithful and loving canine companion Gracie Girl. Other survivors are a sister Jeanette McDonough, niece Ruth Graves, nephew Joseph Graves, and other nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents she is preceded in death by a special sister Ethelene Stephens Purvis, nephew Wayne Stephens, sister Elizabeth Leary, brother Joseph Graves and nephew David Graves.
Heartfelt thanks to Sherrie, Luze, Tina, Kelley, Michelle, Stephanie, Andrea and Sonya who helped take care of Monte and helped Barbara keep her sanity. They were all so good to her and she was blessed to have them. They can never truly know how much Barbara appreciated them.
Thank you also to Robbie Sanford, Southern Care Hospice and Emerald Coast Hospice.
