Mother Ivadell Cotton Graves transitioned peacefully from her earthly home on Wednesday, October 5, 2022 in Reidsville, North Carolina surrounded by her children and loved ones. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 15, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. at Smyrna Church of Christ of the Apostolic Faith, 1025 Mizpah Church Road in Reidsville, North Carolina with family visitation one hour prior to the service. Public visitation will be held at Smyrna Church of Christ of the Apostolic Faith on Friday, October 14, 2022 from 11:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. and Mother Graves will also lie in state on Saturday, October 15, 2022 beginning at 10:00 a.m. at Smyrna Church of Christ of the Apostolic Faith. Burial will follow at the church cemetery.
Born on May 15, 1929 in her family home on Cotton Road in Rockingham County, North Carolina, Mother Graves was the youngest of six children of Gurney and Elizabeth Cotton. With her siblings, mother and father, who built the house on Cotton Road, Mother Graves did her part to tend to the family’s farm, where they raised chickens and pigs, cultivated a garden, and picked tobacco.
The Cotton family attended Elm Grove Baptist Church, and she attended Elm Grove public school in Reidsville, North Carolina. It was in Reidsville where Ivadell Cotton met Preston Graves, and they fell for each other. The two were married in 1945, and the next year, in 1946, the young couple followed her sisters Earsley and Marguerite to Alexandria, VA.
As a young mother and wife, Mother Graves was hardworking and found steady ways to help support her husband and growing family. She worked as a housekeeper at private residences, a waitress at The Anchorage Restaurant, and a cook at Howard Johnson’s.
Mother Graves was introduced to Christ at an early age, but it wasn’t until she joined Antioch Bible Way Church in Alexandria that she decided to commit her life to Christ and be saved. At Antioch, she also found an extended family–the Roberts, Thompsons, Logans, Hendersons, and many more–that offered her friendship, supported her family, and nurtured her spiritual walk with God.
Preston Graves had also become active at Antioch by expanding his ministerial responsibilities and growing to the position of “Elder.” Never forgetting his roots, Elder Graves frequently traveled to North Carolina and held services in various homes of his family members,” according to Apostle Graves’ obituary. He answered the call of God and decided that the family, Mother Graves and their children, would move back to Reidsville in 1963 and start their church.
It was hard for her to leave Antioch, a church she cherished, and the community she established in Alexandria. But Mother Graves understood that God’s calling on her husband’s life could not be ignored. This move would also expand Mother Graves’ ministerial journey as she was the co-founder and first lady of Smyrna Church of Christ, which began in a tent with wood flooring, and a wood-burning stove.
The Graves Family stepped out on faith during the early years of the ministry; times were hard, but their passion for ministry endured, and Mother Graves proved to be a faithful church mother and first lady. She served in many roles as a leader in Smyrna. She wore many fabulous hats, from the president of the Missionary Department, Sunday School Teacher, Youth Advisor, and Choir Member to the Fundraising Group Captain, Usher, Cook, and Custodian. In addition, Mother Graves assisted in preparing candidates for baptism, visited the sick and shut-in, and delivered meals to bereaved families, doing it all with compassion. She was well-known in the community and surrounding areas.
And while she was well regarded as a church mother, her greatest joy and greatest love were her children and grandchildren. When she was able, she loved to cook for them–fried apples, chitterlings, pigs feet, cabbage, pinto beans, banana pudding, sweet potato pie, and her famous, layered banana cake with sugar icing, among other foods (all made from scratch). And when she began to slow down, she loved to sit on the front porch with her great-grandchildren, and she loved visits from her nieces and nephews, particularly the Galloways, whom she adored.
As the sun began to set on Mother Graves’ life, she remained gracious and in good spirits. Her body became fragile, but she never complained, and her spiritual commitment never wavered. It was not uncommon for Mother Graves to break out in praise at any moment. Psalm 23 may have been her favorite scripture, but she lived Psalm 34:1, “I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.”
Mother Ivadell Graves is in God’s care now, but we are so grateful that her love and gifts remain in our hearts, always.
In addition to her parents, preceding Mother Graves in death are husband, Apostle Preston Graves; son, Eddie Donnell Graves; daughters, Norma Jean Ashton and Wanda Rene Graves; three sisters, Della Craig, Earlsey Galloway and Marguerite Galloway; and one brother, Arthur Cotton.
Mother Graves is survived by two daughters: Sherri Fowler (Bishop Fowler) of Greensboro, NC and Laura Graves of Eden, NC; six sons: Preston Graves of Greensboro, NC, Gary Graves of Atlanta, GA, Tony Graves of Charlotte, NC, Aaron Graves of Philadelphia, PA, Kevin Graves (Shavonn) of Dallas, TX, and Quan Graves of Reidsville, NC; one brother, James Cotton of Alexandria, VA; 18 grandchildren: Nikki (Donald), Javada, Norlisa (Carl), Lawrence (Meredith), Gerard (Leslie), Paris, Jovan (Jamica), Keri, Skyler, JJ, Alex, Erin, Shelomon (Chiquita), Brandon, Lenece, Larry, Deja, Lauren, Ahleah; 22 great-grandchildren: Jazzmine, Jazziah, Kazumi, Olivia, Rhyanna, Davis, Desmond, Kaniah, Jude, Myles, Noah, Kwazeek, Kaniya, Samiah, Saleem, Somona, Madison, Mayzzie, Larry, Jr., Kirsten, and DeNiyah; and one great-great-grandchild, Henry. She is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and dear friends.
Ashton and Yolanda McLaurin and the staff of the McLaurin Funeral Home are serving the family. Covid-19 precautions will be followed with social distancing, masks and sanitizing required.
At the designated date and time, you may connect to the Virtual services through FaceBook livestreaming via McLaurin Funeral Home's FB page. To join via YouTube, click here
https://youtube.com/channel/UCNxKempY6gbuyks5Pw1rDyw
