John Henson Gravley was born Dec. 24, 1830, died March 4, 1908, age 77 years, 2 months and 9 days. He was happily converted in his youth and joined the Methodist church in which he lived a consistent Christian all through life. He leaves a wife, five sons, five daughters, three brothers and a host of friends to mourn his loss. About one year ago Mr. GRAVLEY had a stroke of paralysis which rendered him helpless the remainder of his days. Six days before his death he received a second stroke of paralysis which rendered him helpless the remainder of his days. Six days before his death he received a second stroke from which he never recovered and which caused him to become unconscious to the last. In the death of Brother Gravley the country has gained friends among all with whom he became personally acquainted. As a Christian gentleman he sure was a model man. His home was more than four miles from church, but he was always in his place on every regular meeting day as long as he was able to go. He would always rebuke the act of evil doers wherever he met them, which was done in a good Christian spirit. By his death many lost a great friend, but he has gained a crown. The wife has lost a loving husband and the children have lost a kind father, but he has gained immortal life. The church has lost a great factor, but he has gained eternal glory. He is not dead, though he be laid beneath the cold clods of the valley; his life still remains fresh in the hearts of minds of the people.

"A good man never dies
In worthy deeds and prayer,
And helpful hands and honest eyes,
If smiles or tears be there.
Who lives for you and me
Lives for the world. He tries
To help - he lives eternally;
A good man never dies.

"Who lives to bravely take
His share of toil and stress,
And for his weaker follow's sake
Makes every burden less.
He may, at least, seem warm;
Like fallen-hands and eyes
Folded -yet though we mourn and mourn,
A good man never dies. " J.P. Starnes, Pastor.


Obituary was published in The Brevard News on 20 Mar 1908, Pg. 7.
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John was married first to Hester Ann Winchester on December 28, 1856 and they had 13 children,
several of which did not live to adulthood. Hester died in September 1881, just a month after the
birth of the 13th child. John remarried about 1886 to Siddie Crenshaw, by whom he had 3 more children.