A Memorial Service for John Brice Graves Jr., 82, of Demorest, GA, will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Clarkesville on Saturday, February 10 at 11:00 AM, with Rev. Matt Henderson officiating.
Brice was born on November 27, 1941, in Homerville, GA, to Eva Lena Castleberry Graves and John Brice Graves, Sr. Brice was preceded in death by his parents, his son, John A. Graves, and his brother, Edwin C. Graves.
Growing up in Talladega, AL, Brice was a Boy Scout, Eagle Scout, and senior class president at Talladega High School.
While at Samford University, he sang in the Acapella Choir, was president of his freshman class, president of BSU, and of the Ministerial Association.
Brice earned a Master’s of Divinity and a Master’s of Theology at Louisville Seminary in KY.
After moving to Thomasville, GA, Brice became Chaplain and Director of the Drug and Alcohol Unit at Southwestern Regional Hospital. He did supply preaching in Baptist and Presbyterian Churches and acted in the Community Theatre.
In 1986 Brice moved to Atlanta and was Chaplain and Director of the Drug and Alcohol Unit at the Georgia Mental Health Institute (GMHI).
He joined the GA Association of Pastoral Counseling (GAPC) and became a licensed counselor while preaching at the historic Log Cabin Church for 10 years.
After marrying Lisa in 1998, they moved to Clarkesville in 2005, where Brice became active at the First Presbyterian Church, where Lisa pastored. He sang in the choir, held Grief Support groups, and taught a Sunday School named Speak Easy – and that’s what he did – he spoke easy.
Everyone who knew Brice loved him. His very essence was to see the best in every person, even when they didn’t see the best in themselves.
Brice loved his family. Survivors include his wife, Lisa FackGraves; daughter and son-in-law, Kara and Konan Marino of Indian Trail, NC; daughter-in-law, Kim Graves of Loxley, AL; sister, Lena Bingham Graves of Knoxville, TN; sister-in-law, Jenny Graves of Alexandria, VA, and cousins Edwin King of Talladega, AL and Philip and Carol Daniels of Pell City, AL.
Stepchildren include Karin Luise of Atlanta, GA, Steve (Brenda) Klebe of Dawsonville, GA, and Alex (Tava) Fulford of Hayesville, NC.
Brice was blessed with 11 grandchildren: Kayla Bosarge, Brett Graves, Devin Graves, Lillie Marino, Ian Marino, William Fulford, Wesley Fulford, Cora Fulford, West Smithson, Elise Smithson, Hoyte Smithson, and two grand-daughters.
Memorials in Brice’s honor may be given to The First Presbyterian Church of Clarkesville (PO Box 354 Clarkesville, GA 30523) or to Columbia Presbyterian Church (711 South Columbia Drive, Decatur, GA 30030)
Arrangements are in the care and professional direction of Hillside Memorial Chapel & Gardens, Clarkesville.
