Etoise T. Hill Graves was born to Rufus and Rosetta (Graham) Richards Hill on December 26, 1923.

Born in Taft, Oklahoma, she was reared in the Sugar Creek Community and attended Sugar Creek Schools. Later, after attending Moton School for one week, she entered the Oklahoma School for the Deaf, Blind, and Orphaned (DB&O) and completed high school. She then moved to Oklahoma City where she worked for a year, and then returned to live in Muskogee. There she met Mr. Joseph Graves, whom she later married in Ft. Smith, Arkansas. They relocated to Taft.

They were the parents of seven children, one of whom, Michael, died within hours after birth. Etoise and Joseph were married for 52 years before he passed away in 1997.

Etoise went from homemaker to employment at the Muskogee VA Medical Center, first in Laundry Services, and then as a Nurses' Assistant in the Department of Nursing. She retired in 1982 after 30 plus years of service.

She was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church in Taft, where she served in several ministries over the years, including choir, Usher Board, Deaconess and as the church's treasurer for many years. She also was the church's oldest member.

The D, B & O Reunion Foundation was a constant in her life and she attended most of the biennial reunions until 2009. These were guaranteed times that she'd get to visit with her best friend, the late Mrs. Berniece McCullough of Oakland.

She provided guidance for the 2007 DB&O reunion, which was held in San Diego, CA and co-hosted by a DB&O graduate and her children, Donald and Marva Graves.

Etoise was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Joseph, a son, Joseph Graves, Jr., his wife, Charlesetta Lee Graves and child, Donita Graves; also, a daughter, Bonnie Graves Wilkes. Others include her brothers: Willistene, Lawrence, Cephus and Moses Richards and Joseph and Elmer Hill, Sr.; her sisters: Mary Hill Foster, Henrietta Hill Balls and other older siblings.

Survivors who will cherish her memory include two sons: Donald E. (Marva) Graves of San Diego, CA and Jesse C. (Teressa) Graves of Austin, TX; two daughters: Etoise Graves (Norris) McDonald of Austin, and Marsha Graves of the home. Also, grandchildren: Bridgette Wilkes, Patricia Wilkes (Lloyd) Thompson, Jackie Wilkes (James) Zeigler, Joyce Wilkes (Rafell) Williams, Eddie Wilkes, Jr, Michael J. (Shindell) Graves, Dr. Marcie Graves (Marc) Poole, Crystal McBride, Paula Whitebear (Reginald) Burton, and Pastor Brittany Graves. Other survivors include: 20 great grandchildren, three great-great grandchildren, and a number of beloved nieces, nephews and dear friends.

A Home Going service is scheduled, Saturday, March 2, 2019, 1:00 p.m., First Baptist Church, Taft, OK. Interment will be Monday, March 4, 2019, 12:30 p.m. in Memorial Park Mausoleum, Muskogee, OK

Visitation will be Friday, 1:00 until 6:00 p.m.

The family has been cared for by House of Winn Funeral Homes.