John McKay Graham

John McKay Graham, husband of Virginia Brown Graham, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on June 28, 2022. Born October 15, 1932 in Sumter, South Carolina, John was the son of the late Martha Wilson Graham. He graduated from Edmunds High School in Sumter in 1950. He attended Davidson College, transferred to the University of South Carolina and was drafted into the Army in 1953 during the Korean War. After completion of his military service, he returned to USC and graduated in 1956. He then began his career in banking and savings and loan. He married his wife, Virginia Martha Brown, on June 14, 1958, making their home in Sumter for the next 40 years. 

After John received Jesus Christ as his personal Savior, he became an active member of his church where he worshipped regularly. He served faithfully in leadership roles of elder and deacon and was active in men’s ministry, global missions and audiovisual ministry. He and Virginia were known for their hospitality, often opening their home for family and friends.

John loved his family and treasured time with Virginia, their children and their families. Family gatherings would often include his engaging retelling of his life experiences. As a young man, he achieved and was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, tennis and photography. 

His career in banking and savings and loan extended for almost 40 years, beginning as a loan officer with First Federal Savings and Loan of Sumter, and retiring as a Senior Vice President and Business Development Officer with BB&T. His tenure was marked by character, integrity, fairness and generosity. He served on and chaired numerous boards including Sumter Area Technical College, Sumter Kiwanis Club, American Legion Post 15, and Shaw AFB/Sumter commission. He was a loyal supporter of law enforcement as an assistant to the Sheriff, a special SLED agent, and a lifelong SC state constable. 

After retirement, John and Virginia moved to Hendersonville, NC, and then Mount Pleasant, SC, where, for the past 17 years, they have been active in their church and community. John enjoyed staying in touch with his many friends from over the years, and meeting and making new friends, encouraging them through photos, letters, and phone calls.

In addition to his wife, John is survived by his children Dr. John McKay Graham, Jr. (Tamara), Mount Pleasant, SC, Virginia Graham Caswell(Braxton), Johns Creek, GA, Elizabeth Graham Faulkner (Larry), Mount Pleasant, SC and Benjamin Brown Graham(Tracy), Hendersonville, NC, grandchildren Caroline Elizabeth Graham, Marshall Anne Caswell Busbee(Daniel), Virginia Britton Caswell, Margaret Graham Caswell, Mary Elizabeth Faulkner Kimble(Seth), Sarah Louise Faulkner McCurry(Marion), John Lawrence Faulkner, Benjamin Brown Graham Jr., James Frierson Graham, Kruesi Graham, Natasha Townsend and Julia Townsend, great grandchildren James McKay Busbee and Hannah Grace Kimble, and many extended family. He was preceded in death by his brother Robert E. Graham, his sisters Elizabeth G. Gallagher, Georgianna G. Thomas, Margaret G. Love, Sadie G. Randall, and Helen G. Stoddard. 

Special thank you to the nurses and staff at the Keil Health Center at Franke at Seaside in Mount Pleasant.
Celebration of life service will be at East Cooper Baptist Church, Mount Pleasant, SC, on Saturday, July 2 at 11 AM. The family will receive friends at the church from 10 AM until the hour of service. Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., Mount Pleasant Chapel. Burial will be at the Sumter Cemetery in Sumter, SC, on Saturday, July 2 at 4 PM. Arrangements by Elmore Hill McCreight, Sumter SC. 
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to East Cooper Baptist Church Global Missions Fund 361 Egypt Rd, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 eastcooperbaptist.com or Samaritan’s Purse PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607 samaritanspurse.org