FUNERAL RITES FOR DOCTOR A. GRAHAM HELD ON JULY 24
Masonic Rites Were Held At Graveside; Freeman In Charge Of Body
Funeral services were held at 10 a. m., Monday, July 24, 1950, at the Leakesville Baptist church for Dr. A. Graham, beloved physician of our community, who died Saturday, 8 p. m., at the Baptist Hospital in Jackson, Mississippi.
Dr. Graham had been in failing health for several years and the end came very quietly on that Saturday evening, Rev. M. E. Perry, of Greenville, Mississippi, former pastor of the Leakesville Baptist church and a close friend of the family had charge of the services, assisted by Dr. K. R. Grant, Baptist pastor, Rev. J. T. Echols, Presbyterian pastor, Rev. R.E. Alsworth, Methodist pastor. By special request of the family, Mrs. M. E. Perry sang, "Some Time We'll Understand."
Aristophane Graham was born December 22, 1884, at the old home in Wayne county. Being the first of a family of twelve, his boyhood days were made up of hard work and very few advantages. Since childhood he has so unselfishly devoted his life to his work, his family, his church and the community where he has lived.
He made many sacrifices to get his education, graduating at Atlanta Physicians and Surgeons School Jun 1912. He practiced medicine at Robinson lumber camp during the summer of 1911, later began his regular medical practice at Crottstown in the summer of 1912 where he remained until 1914. He then moved to Hiwanee, Miss., in 1914, and remained until 1918. He was married to Miss Lula Mae Hinson at Hiwanee on February 28, 1917. To this union two children were born, Doris and Stanley. The family moved to Blodgett in 1918 where he was the doctor for the Blodgett Lumber Company, until November, 1928, moving to Leakesville at that time.
For many years Dr. Graham was the only physician in Leakesville and his practice covered a large rural territory. He was never too tired or sick to answer a call if summoned regardless of the hour. The long hours of being constantly on call during the war years took their toll.
Dr. Graham leaves the following who mourn his passing, his widow, two children, Mrs. Doris Taylor and Stanley Graham, two grand children, Graham Taylor and Janet Graham; his aged mother, Mrs. Mattie Graham, all of Leakesville; six brothers, F. C. Graham, Wesson, Miss., Dr. C. Graham, Hancock, Maryland, Z. O., and R. M. Graham, Kosciusko, Miss., V. E. Graham, Hattiesburg, Miss., C. E. Graham, Leakesville; five sisters, Mrs. Purro Rainwater, Mrs. Banner Walker, Mrs. W. R. Stanley, Waynesboro, Miss., Mrs. J. W. Gilmer, Bayou La Batre, Ala., and Mrs. Ella Landrum, Holly Bluff, Miss., and a host of other relatives and friends.
Pall bearers were: T. C. Rounsaville, Floyd Churchwell, W. L. Wilson, Allen Kittrell, Jenner McLeod, Allan Barnes, Edwin Barnes and J. F. Green. Masonic rites were conducted at the graveside. Freeman Funeral Home had charge.
....Truly "Healing in his hands, Humanity in his heart" is a fitting epitah to Dr. A. Graham. Published in the Greene County [MS] Herald, 28 Jul 1950.