It All Got Started...

On a hot summer day in the late 19th century, Brantley Graves and his brother were plowing a cornfield on the family farm and stopped to give themselves and their mules a rest from the sun. They sat down under a large oak tree and Brantley stated "When I die I want to be buried in this very spot". His brother's response was "You will get lonesome here all by yourself." Brantley then stated, "Well, if I do, I'll keep quiet about it." Little did they know that day as they resumed their plowing that Brantley would die within just a few days.There are several accounts of this conversation. Charlotte Cotton Ray states in her book to All Our Children that it occurred in 1861 and Brantley was buried exactly two weeks later. In The History and Families of Perry County Tennessee, the indication was that he passed away in the 1870 to 1880 time period. Imogene Rasbury Parsley, in her book Isaac Lee Graves and His Descendants, notes two important items. She quotes Whitney Cotton Duncan, granddaughter of Isaac Lee, as stating that the brother with Brantley was Elijah Thomas "Doc" Graves, who was Isaac Lee's first born. She also indicates Brantley died somewhere between 1870 and 1880.

 Brantley was buried in an unmarked grave and a gravestone was later added with the date of death listed as 1875. So, while the exact date of death may not be known, it is generally agreed that the Graves Cemetery began with his burial, around 1875.

Isaac Lee Graves was the first generation owner of the farm that included the cemetery. He was born in North Carolina in 1810, and moved to Tennessee at a very young age. It is believed his parents were Thomas and Margaret Graves of Maury County, as Isaac Lee was the administrator of the estate when Thomas died in 1836. Brantley was Isaac Lee's son by his first wife Mary Lincoln. There were nine children born of this union, and Mary died in 1856. She is buried in another cemetery in Perry County. Isaac Lee then married Parthena Ledbetter Ary Graves in 1858, and she also had nine children. Isaac Lee was buried in Graves Cemetery in 1894, followed by Parthena in 1912. Familiy members and descendants of Isaac Lee continue to be laid to rest in this rural family cemetery on Sinking Creek in Perry County, Tennessee.

On April 21, 1847, land grant #28680 for 190 acres was deeded to Isaac Lee Graves. Most of the dates when the property transferred after that are not known, but at some point the land was conveyed to A. C. (Andy Graves), son, by S. E. Graves. It then passed to Fred Kenny Graves (grandson). Fred passed away in 1951 and the farm was sold to Dr. W. E. Boyce. The cemetery had never been listed as a separate entity. On June 18, 1952, Dr. Boyce transferred ownership of the cemetery, which was 1 1/4 acres, to the trustees of the Graves Cemetery Association and their successors in trust. At that time the trustees were Trent Anderson, Alton Crowell, Bernice Epley, Ted Graves, and A. C. Graves.

The traditions observed by descendants and family members have been established to help with upkeep of the cemetery and to honor those buried there. Typically, a spring cleanup is scheduled to get ready for Decoration Day, which is the first Sunday in June. Decoration is also a time for the annual business meeting, followed by "Dinner on the Ground". This probably started with families bringing food and spreading out a blanket or quilt to share a meal. Some may still recall the wire fencing that was strung between trees to make a table for the food. Several years ago funds were approved to build a pavilion which was constructed by Freddie Roth. A generous donation from Obie Duncan allowed a later expansion called "The Arch", also constructed by Freddie. This pavilion has benches and tables and is used not only for Decoration, but also as a place to gather after the burial of a loved one.

Perpetual care for Graves Cemetery is provided by donations from family members, most of which is collected at Decoration. Mowing is currently provided by the inmates of CCA. Several years ago, a trust fund was established by an anonymous donor. Interest from this trust fund is allocated for any additional upkeep, maintenance, and repairs as deemed necessary by the board of trustees. In 2018, Graves Cemetery Association became the Graves Cemetery Trust Corporation, a not for profit organization as provided by Tennessee Law. The Graves Cemetery Perpetual Trust has been established in order to appropriately manage funds that are donated to the trust for long term maintenance of the cemetery. The Board of Trustees of the Graves Cemetery Trust Corporation also serve as trustees for the Graves Cemetery Perpetual Trust.

Family members of those interred, or those who plan to be interred in the Graves Cemetery are encouraged to donate to the maintenance fund each year and/or contribute to the Graves Cemetery Perpetual Trust by including such as specific donations or in their wills. Donations to the maintenance fund may be made at Decoration, first Sunday in June at 12 noon, or at any Regions Bank by depositing in the Graves Cemetery Checking Account. Donations to the Perpetual Care Trust Fund may be made by contacting Rusty Graves, Treasurer of the Graves Cemetery Trust Corporation at 931-626-2052, or by contacting any trustee.

Please note that if contributing to the trust fund, only interest accrued can be used, but this would guarantee there are funds available in the future to take care of the grounds. Donations to the maintenance fund would be used for ongoing and present maintenance.

Trustees:

Paris Thompson, President, 931-209-5403

Mac McLemore, Vice-President, 931-796-3180 (great grandson of Isaac Lee Graves)

Barbara Volner, Secretary, 615-604-4647 (great great granddaughter of Isaac Lee Graves)

Rusty Graves, Treasurer, 931-626-2052 (great great grandson of Isaac Lee Graves)

Kenny P Graves, Sexton, 931-306-9194 (great grandson of Isaac Lee Graves)

The events and history were documented as follows:

·         Charlotte Cotton Ray's book to All Our Children published in 1976

·         History and Families Perry County Tennessee published 1994

·         Imogene Rasbury Parsley's book Isaac Lee Graves And His Descendants published 1988

·         Memories passed down to various descendants, including Imogene Epley Brown Tatum, Helen Epley Riley, Barbara Tilley Volner, Jane Tilley Tarver, and Kenny Paul Graves.