REIDSVILLE, NC - Mrs. Annie Marie Brown Graves, age 81, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 21, 2026 at Beacon Place Hospice in Greensboro, NC.

She is the beloved wife of Reverend George H. Graves.

Public viewing will now begin on Thursday, February 26, 2026 from 12 until 6 p.m. at McLaurin-Harris Funeral Home, 721 East Morehead Street, Reidsville, NC.

*** Viewing will also be held at the church on Friday, one hour prior to funeral services ***

Funeral services will be held Friday, February 27, 2026 at 1 p.m. from the Elm Grove Baptist Church, 1302 US-29 Business, Reidsville, NC. Reverend Robert Harrison will officiate and Dr. Clarence Johnson, eulogist.

The committal and interment will follow in Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery, Reidsville, NC.

All other times, the family will receive friends at the home, 654 Candy Creek Road, Reidsville, NC.

Annie Marie Graves was born in Caswell County, North Carolina on June 4,1944 to the late Annie Brown Bushnell and late Roy Graves.  A loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother went home to be with the Lord on Saturday morning, February 21, 2026, at Beacon Place Hospice in Greensboro, NC.

Marie was a member at Elm Grove Baptist Church for many years and was a faithful part of the Elm Grove Church family until her health declined. She made lifetime friends and everyone that knew her loved her. She loved being a part of ElmGrove and sharing her faith under the leadership of her Pastor Clarence Johnson.

She attended the Booker T. Washington High School. She worked at AT&T, later named Lucent Technologies, until her retirement. She made lifetime friends there and would often go on vacations with her friends from Lucent. She retired and became a full-time homemaker for her husband, the love of her life.

Her husband called her "Ree", but her friends called her Marie. Marie was a feisty and loving straight shooter. You never had to guess what Marie Graves thought of you or how she felt about you. She would let you know, and the message would be crystal clear. She possessed a funny humor unique to only Marie. She had her signature style of humor.  She loved to shop and was a well-dressed woman every time she stepped out into the world. She loved to travel with her husband and her friends as well. She spent a lot of time with her best friend, Susan Blackwell, driving the streets of Greensboro, building lasting memories for a lifetime. She loved seeing her cousin, who was like her brother, Willie Brown, and his wife Elaine. Marie had so many friends and too many to name but those were constants that have always stood by her side since adolescent years until her transition to become an elder.  She loved her 3 children. She supported her 3 sons with love and guidance through their years to adulthood and beyond. She loved doting on her 7 grandchildren and 1 great-grandson.

George, her husband of 61 years, took excellent care of his wife until her transition to be with the Lord. He kept his vows he made before GOD through the good and the bad, in sickness and health until death do us part. Their union was a beautiful love story where LOVE prevails through it all. GOD sent him a village of people and family with loving care to help aid his wife while slowly declining health from dementia. Tralla Brown (daughter in-law), Annette Settle (niece), Joan Graves (niece), Mentzie Rahman (friend), Cheryl Register (friend), Susan Blackwell (best friend).

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her son Craig Graves, brothers, Pete Brown, Billy Mims, and sister, Zadie Bell Holloway.

Those left to cherish her precious memories are, husband,George H. Graves, sons, Maurice A. Brown of Greensboro, NC, Bryant C. Graves, Sr. (Tara) of Stonecrest, GA; sisters, Paulette Holloway Ferguson of Pelham, NC, Doris Marie Totten Henderson (Malvin) of Yanceyville, NC. grandchildren, Cortney Hooper (Hollye) of Greensboro, NC, Lance Brown of Greensboro, NC, Kameron Brown of Raleigh, NC, Chase Blackwell of Atlanta, GA, Bryant C. Graves, Jr. of Stonecrest, GA, Austin Graves of Stonecrest, GA, Reagan Graves of Stonecrest, GA; great grandson, Jace Hooper of Greensboro, NC; best friend, Susan Blackwell of Browns Summit, NC; special cousin, Willie B Brown (Elaine) of Reidsville, NC. and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

Service by McLaurin-Harris