Janice Sue Graves, age 72, passed away at Optum Hospice Care Suites in Birmingham on the morning of March 3, 2015 after a peaceful few days of rest following a brief struggle with cancer. She was a life-long resident of Pine Mountain, born there on February 24, 1943 at her parents Will and Fronie Horsley's residence. She was baptized as a young girl and raised up firmly in the Christian faith along with the rest of her immediate and extended family at Valley Grove Baptist Church. Idyllically nestled at the base of Pine Mountain, it was here where at an early age she developed her natural talents as a gospel singer and pianist. She sang and played for churches throughout the county singing with a strong, clear alto voice while continuing to study under the tutelage of James D. Walbert. Music truly was her first love even as she met and married her husband, Walter A. Graves of Oneonta in 1961. After much prayer and several years they conceived and gave birth to a son, Kevin W. Graves for whom she quit working outside the home to raise. It was also her pleasure to enjoy several hobbies; sewing for her family and her community, volunteering in many capacities, and fostering several wards of the state for a time with her husband. She continued worshiping through song as a member of Pleasant Mount Baptist Church for 38/45 years and was the pianist for 17 years until her and her husband's auto accident in 2007. Though she never fully recovered from that event, she kept her fire and wit and humor in her remaining years.

Mrs. Graves is survived by her loving husband of 53 years, Walter A. Graves and her son, Kevin W. Graves (Jessica), Birmingham and Pine Mountain; brother: Gene Horsley (Jean), Pine Mountain; sister: Joyce Gilmore (Sonny), Birmingham; and many beloved nephews, nieces, cousins and in-laws; foster daughter Christy L. Fallin and foster grandson Keaton Fallin, Woodhaven. She is predeceased by her parents William E. Horsley and Sufronie "Fronie" Isabelle Tyler, brother Avril F. Horsley, nephew Randy Horsley, and great niece Melissa Gilbert.

Bro. Glenn Bynum will lead funeral services on Saturday, March 7, 2015 at 1PM from the Chapel of Lemley Funeral Home. Mrs. Graves will lie in state at the funeral home on Saturday, March 7, 2015 from 11AM until service time.

Burial will be at Pleasant Mount Baptist Cemetery, Pine Mountain immediately following the service in Oneonta with an honorary meal held at Valley Grove Baptist Church after the graveside services.

Pallbearers: Jeremy Rudy, David Glenn, Will Glenn, William Gilbert, Josh Gilbert, Benjamin Horsley and Jeff Branham.

Honorary Pallbearers are her caregivers and friends; Cheryl Mize, Debbie Rudy, Kathy Thomas, Veronica Longhauser, Elaine Phillips and Karen Crane.

[Long Family Funeral Homes obit via internet]