Tryon, NC- Martha Lively Graves, 90, of Oak Street, Tryon, NC died Saturday, August 25, 2007 in White Oak Manor, Tryon, NC. Born in McCleod, Alberta, Canada, she was the daughter of the late John Talmadge and Frances Burney Lively. Martha grew up in the northwest and graduated from the University of Washington in Seattle. After college she worked in early television in Boston, MA, and joined the Waves with the U.S. Navy. She met A. Judson Graves, then a Navy physician, while visiting relatives in Jacksonville, FL. They married in 1943 and settled in Jacksonville where they spent nearly three decades, raising three children and becoming involved and active in Jacksonville's growing society and community. Jud practiced radiology and was a champion golfer. Martha co-founded a still active Great Books Club and was also active in the Association of American University Women and other civic and study groups. For many years she volunteered at Hope Haven Children's Hospital. She was an enthusiastic tennis player with the San Jose Country Club Women's Tennis, and both she and Jud taught Adult Sunday School at the Southside Methodist Church. In 1974 Martha and Jud retired to Tryon, NC and lived on the Red Fox golf course. Jud passed away in 1988 and Martha remained in Tryon, continuing her intellectual and philosophical pursuits with many like-minded friends, playing bridge, writing poetry, and entertaining, not only her friends, but also her children and grandchildren on their visits to see her. She never tired of sharing her latest interests and discoveries with both family and friends. She has been a great inspiration and delight to all who have known her, and the extent to which she will be missed goes beyond words. Martha is survived by a sister, Burney Hartridge (who will turn 100 years old this coming Christmas day), and by her three beloved, loving, and devoted children; Judith Celeste Graves-Hoyal of Saugerties, NY, Judson Graves of Atlanta, GA, and Amanda Graves Yandell of Memphis, TN. All three of her children were with Martha in Tryon when she died peacefully at the age of 90. She is further survived by seven grandchildren; Ashley Lanfer, Judson Graves, Mallory Graves, Syelle Graves, Phaedra Graves, Abigail Yandell, Corinne Yandell, and by one great-grandson, James Judson Lanfer. James holds the singular honor of being with his great-grandmother in the last photo taken of her. Memorial Service will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made in Martha's memory to The Lanier Library Association, where she volunteered for several years, 72 Chestnut Street, Tryon, NC 28782 or to Tryon United Methodist Church, 195 New Market Road, Tryon, NC 28782.
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