Pauline Polly Graves

Pauline “Polly” Novosad Graves Polly Graves, 81, of East Bernard, Texas, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 2, 2015, in a Houston hospital surrounded by her family. She was born May 19, 1933 in Bay City, Texas to the late Paul and Mary Martin Novosad. Polly was raised in the East Bernard area and graduated from East Bernard High School in 1950. She married Willie Graves, Jr. on March 1, 1952 in East Bernard. She was a homemaker most of her life, and also worked at Hlavinka Equipment Company for several years, retiring in 2013. Polly was very active in her church, First United Methodist in East Bernard where she was a lifetime member and served on the Board of Stewards. Polly was also very active with the Red Cross, serving from 1989 until 1999 when she received the Volunteer of the Year award. In addition to all this, she was an avid reader, excellent cook, WCYF Volunteer, CARE Volunteer, and helped the area Boy Scouts. In addition to her parents and husband, her sister and her husband, Mary Jo and Bill Hlavinka, brothers in law Thomas Cordelle and Bill Coody, nephew Jim Coody, her son, Jon Cameron “Cam” Graves and grandson, Robert Blake Graves, preceded her in death. Visitation will be held Tuesday, January 6, 2015 from 5 p.m. to 7pm at Wharton Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 5 p.m., Wednesday, January 7, 2015 from First United Methodist Church, 421 Pietsch Street in East Bernard with Rev. Alex Lupo officiating. Cremation will follow the services. Serving, as pallbearers are Chris Hallman, William Vasquez, Jacob Wilson, Colby Graves, Cody Graves, Adam Kramr, Clinton Graves, Russ Graves and Garrett Graves and several nieces and nephews and friends. Polly is survived by her sisters, Frances Cordelle and Sue Coody, daughter, Melinda Sue Vasquez and husband, Benjamin of Coleman, TX, sons, William Dewitt “Bud” Graves and wife, Wendy of East Bernard, Russell David “Rusty” Graves and wife, Liz of El Campo and Robert Joel “Joey” Graves and wife, Cara of East Bernard, daughter in law, April Graves of Lissie, grandchildren, William & Marion Vasquez, Addie Vasquez, Jennifer & Chris Hallman, Cody Graves, Clinton Graves, Casey & Jacob Wilson, Courtney Smith, Alexis Graves, Garrett Graves, Callie Graves, Russ Graves, Colby and Kristi Graves, and Coan Graves, great grandchildren, Cameron Hallman, Corey Hallman, Paxton Wilson, Lani Graves, Makinly and Justin Graves. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her name to the First United Methodist Church of East Bernard, 421 Pietsch Street, The Blake Graves Scholarship Fund c/o East Bernard ISD, 723 College Street, or the East Bernard EMS, PO Box 612, East Bernard, Texas 77435. Condolences can be made online at www.whartonfuneralhome.com Funeral services are under the direction of Wharton Funeral Home.