Ann Yokley Graves

Ann Yokley Graves, 97, of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, peacefully entered into eternal rest Sunday, January 21, 2024. 

Ann was born June 28, 1926, in Mount Airy, North Carolina, daughter of Oscar Hoyle Yokley and Mary Emily Wilkinson Yokley. Ann was raised with the help of her stepmother Mary Gilmer Weatherly Yokley. She grew up close to her siblings Sara, Bud (Oscar, Jr.) and Hale. She graduated Mount Airy High School and then attended Hollins College where she was Vice President of Hollins College Riding Club, graduating in 1947. Ann spoke often of this time with the horses and the enjoyment she found during her daily rides. She fondly remembered traveling abroad in Mexico for six months with family friends and throughout Europe for a year with her girlfriends. 

Ann married J. Franklin Graves, MD and they moved to Mount Pleasant in the 1950’s. They made many dear friends in the Lowcountry and raised their four children here. She spent time volunteering as a docent at the Gibbes Museum of Art, The Woman’s Auxiliary to the South Carolina Medical Association and many other charities. She was an active member of the Hibben United Methodist Church. 

Ann was a gentle soul who was much loved by her family. She was an avid bridge player and known for her beautiful camellias and her affection for all animals, especially cats. In her children, she instilled a love of cooking and an appreciation for art and nature. Ann cherished her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She will be remembered for the way she loved her family.

She is survived by three sons, Stephen Porter Graves of Sullivan's Island, SC, Robert Hollingsworth Graves, his wife Heather of Charleston, SC, and Franklin Graves, Jr. of Mansfield, OH; daughter, Emily Ann Graves her husband Philip Hull of Seattle, WA; and four grandchildren, Patrick T. Graves and his wife Stephanie, Molly Graves Mitchell and her husband Jimmy, Sydney Brayton Graves, and Miranda Diana Conley Graves; and three great-grandchildren, Mia and Gabrielle Graves, and Cecilia Mitchell, as well as beloved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband of over 50 years, Dr. Jesse Franklin Graves, her sister Sara Yokley Conley and two brothers Oscar Hoyle “Bud” Yokley, Jr and J. Hale Yokley, Sr.

The family graciously thanks the caregivers that lovingly supported Ann at the Kempton. The family will receive friends Thursday, February 15, 2024, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm in J. Henry Stuhr Inc., Mount Pleasant Chapel. Her Graveside Service will be held Saturday, February 17, 2024, in the Mount Pleasant Memorial Gardens, 1308 Mathis Ferry Road at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to pethelpers.org.

A memorial message may be sent to the family on our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com.