Sharon Elaine Graves

(April 22, 1942 - July 23, 2012)

Sharon Elaine Graves of Cody died Monday, July 23, 2012 at West Park Long Term Care Center in Cody, due to complications of a stroke she suffered in 2008. She was 70.

Sharon, an only child, was born to James Jackson Fennell and Aquilla Vivian Fennell (Davis) on April 22, 1942 in Avon Park, Fla. 

She married Frank Donald Graves Sr. on Nov. 10, 1960. They shared 52 wonderful years together.  During this time they raised four children and operated a tropical fish farm in Ruskin, Fla., for more than 35 years. 

In 1995, they retired and made their permanent residence at their vacation home in Cody.

Sharon, along with her husband and children, enjoyed hunting, camping, fishing, traveling and spending summers in Cody. 

She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, friends and family as well as showing them the sights of beautiful Wyoming. She was a past member of the Order of Eastern Stars, Riverview, Fla., chapter.

Sharon is survived by her husband Frank Donald Graves; her daughter, Sharon Michelle McCullers; and son, Frank Donald Graves Jr. and his wife Elizabeth Alese (Hallman); daughter, Stephanie DeAnn  Hitt and her husband William “Bill”  Hitt; son James Charles Graves and his wife Stacy (Anderson); grandchildren Kari Lynn Bradley, Patricia McCullers, Donnie McCullers, Andrew Donald Graves, Emily Alese Graves, Samantha Charity Sewell, Matthew Eugene Hitt, Levi Anderson Graves and Easton James Graves; and many cousins and close personal friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Quilla, father-in-law, Frank Ruskin Graves, mother-in-law, Twila Oleta Graves (Adams), stepfather, Donald M Chase, an infant daughter, and son-in-law Russell Duane Sewell.

A memorial service will be held at a later date in Ruskin, Fla. Memorial donations in Sharon’s name can be made to your favorite charitable organization.

An online guestbook is available at www.ballardfh.com.