Joseph Graham

Obituary: Joseph Graham of Mooresville passed away on Monday, July 23, 2012 at the Gordon Hospice House in Statesville. He was born September 18, 1940 in Charlotte. He was the son of George Washington Graham, Sr. and Mary Richardson Graham, both deceased. Mr. Graham earned a diploma at West Mecklenburg High School, a Bachelor's degree from Western Carolina University, a Master's degree from West Virginia University, and graduated from the Business Executive Program from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Mr. Graham's business career consisted of 6 years at Fieldcrest Mills, one year at Wachovia in Winston-Salem, NC, 12 years at Beacon Manufacturing Co. rising to president. He also worked 4 years as Senior Vice President at Cannon Mills. Since 1987, Mr. Graham was Vice President/Chief Financial Officer of Tomlinson/Erwin-Lambeth, Inc. from where he retired. Growing up in Charlotte, Joseph Graham had a passion for baseball. He played for Lance three years in Little League; two years in the Babe Ruth league, and three years at West Mecklenburg High School. He also played two years in American Legion and one year at Western Carolina University. Mr. Graham was also honored by Governor Jim Hunt with the "Order of the Long Leaf Pine" award. He also earned his Eagle Scout rank in Boy Scouts in 1954. Mr. Graham is survived by his first wife, Sylvia Wilkinson Graham-Shoulberg, mother of his only child, Brian Wilkinson Graham and wife Bobbie of Lexington, his second wife, Judy King Graham predeceased in 2002. He is also survived by his long-term companion, Susan O'Connell. In addition, Mr. Graham is survived by four step-children: George (Trey) King of Charlotte, Cindy McGuiness and husband Larry of Mooresville, Susan King Amador of Monroe and Amy King Burleson and husband Van of Charlotte, 10 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. Mr. Graham is also survived by three brothers; Robert Lee Graham of Monroe, James Richardson Graham of Richmond, Va. and Paul Eugene Graham of Charlotte. Mr. Graham's brother, George Washington Graham, Jr. is predeceased. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Wednesday, July 25, 2012 at Williamson's Chapel United Methodist Church, 575 Brawley School Road, Mooresville, NC 28117 officiated by Rev. Mark Pitts and Rev. Mike Moses, Sr. Burial will follow at Carolina Memorial Park in Kannapolis. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 PM Tuesday at Whitley's Funeral Home, 1748 Dale Earnhardt Blvd., Kannapolis, NC. Memorials may be made to Gordon Hospice House, 2341 Simonton Rd., Statesville, NC 28625. Online condolences may be left at www.whitleysfuneralhome.comRoad, Mooresville, NC 2811
Visitation: 6:00pm - 8:00pm Tuesday July 24, 2012 Whitley's Funeral Home Kannapolis, North Carolina

Service: 11:00am Wednesday July 25, 2012 Williamson United Methodist Church Mooresville, North Carolina

Interment: Carolina Memorial Park Kannapolis, North Carolina