| Veronica Ruth Schafer "Ronnie" Graves |
| January 7, 1919 - September 12, 2013 |
| Rogers, Arkansas |
Veronica Ruth Schafer “Ronnie” Graves, 94, of Rogers, Arkansas died Thursday,
September 12, 2013 at her home in the loving arms of her family and caretakers.
She was born January 7, 1919 in Stuttgart, Arkansas to Robert William Schafer and
Alice Pearl Warburton, where she grew up with her five siblings. Ronnie graduated
from Stuttgart High School in 1936.
On August 31, 1940 Ronnie married William “Lester” Graves. Lester later became
a decorated WWII veteran. After his four year tour of duty, Lester rejoined Ronnie
and was elated to finally meet his young daughter, Rebecca Jo Graves. Ronnie and
Lester were later blessed with their second child, William Shafer Graves.
While Lester was away at war, Ronnie worked as a Beauty Operator in Stuttgart.
In 1956, Ronnie was selected Mrs. Arkansas in final competition with several other
homemakers from all sections of Arkansas. As her first official public appearance,
Ronnie opened the dynamic Little Rock Home Show. The Arkansas Louisiana Gas
Company was proud to sponsor Ronnie in the Mrs. America contest later held in
Florida.
In the late 1960’s Ronnie was a contestant on the popular game show Hollywood
Squares where she won the grand prize which included a boat, a fur coat, a television
and cash.
In 1970 Ronnie and Lester moved to Rogers, Arkansas where they began Graves
Real Estate Company. After Lester’s death, Ronnie worked as an agent at Jim
Campbell Reality and later joined the Lindsey Real Estate team, where she became
an Associate Broker, obtained her GRI Certificate, became a member of the
Million Dollar Club, a member of the Rogers Board of Realtors and a member of
the Women’s Council of Real Estate.
Ronnie was known to be a beautiful, poised and accomplished woman, with a sharp
wit and a playful nature. She loved to dance and was an avid bridge player, earning
her Life Master Certificate. Ronnie was very social and enjoyed the company of her
family and friends. She was an active life-long member of the Beta Sigma Phi
sorority.
Ronnie was a devout Catholic and a member of the St. Vincent de Paul congregation
in Rogers, Arkansas. She contributed to her church in many ways, including her
prison ministry work at the Women’s’ Correctional facility in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.
She was preceded in death by her husband William “Lester” Graves (June 12,
1981); son, William Schafer Graves (January 14, 1978), daughter Rebecca Graves
Trammel (January 1, 2006) and her siblings, Jo Loveless, Elizabeth Rich, Fran
Moncrief and Alice Jane Holbert .
Ronnie is survived by her two grand-daughters, Leslie Mary Meeker and Katie
Meeker Buccolier and husband, Dino; three great-grandchildren, Matteo, Marco
and Fransesca Buccolier, of Rogers; and one brother, William Schafer of Stuttgart.
Visitation will be Monday, September 16, 2013 at 5:00 with a Rosary beginning at 7:
00p.m. at Stockdale-Moody Funeral Chapel in Rogers.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00AM, Tuesday, September 17, 2013 at St.
Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Rogers conducted by the Monsignor David
LeSieur.
Burial will be at 4:00p.m. Wednesday, September 18, 2013 at Holy Rosary
Cemetery in Stuttgart, AR with Father Phillip Reaves officiating.
Memorials may be made in honor of Ronnie Graves to The American Diabetes
Association, 1730 SE Moberly Lane, Bentonville, AR 72712.
Special thanks to Teri Vollard, Heather Tuck, Carol Anne Tuck, Mary Hurtig, Dick
and Nancy Trammel, Bill and Jocelyne Meeker, Sees Candy, St. Vincent de Paul
Church and Patient’s Choice Hospice.
CONDOLENCES
My sympathy goes out to Ronnie’s family. She was such a neat person--always
upbeat and cheerful. I worked with her at Lindsey & Assoc., but was acquainted
with her before that time. I also had met Lester through my employment with Hardy
Croxton, Sr., Attorney.
Best wishes to all.
Ruby Ginn Watkins
September 12, 2013 at her home in the loving arms of her family and caretakers.
She was born January 7, 1919 in Stuttgart, Arkansas to Robert William Schafer and
Alice Pearl Warburton, where she grew up with her five siblings. Ronnie graduated
from Stuttgart High School in 1936.
On August 31, 1940 Ronnie married William “Lester” Graves. Lester later became
a decorated WWII veteran. After his four year tour of duty, Lester rejoined Ronnie
and was elated to finally meet his young daughter, Rebecca Jo Graves. Ronnie and
Lester were later blessed with their second child, William Shafer Graves.
While Lester was away at war, Ronnie worked as a Beauty Operator in Stuttgart.
In 1956, Ronnie was selected Mrs. Arkansas in final competition with several other
homemakers from all sections of Arkansas. As her first official public appearance,
Ronnie opened the dynamic Little Rock Home Show. The Arkansas Louisiana Gas
Company was proud to sponsor Ronnie in the Mrs. America contest later held in
Florida.
In the late 1960’s Ronnie was a contestant on the popular game show Hollywood
Squares where she won the grand prize which included a boat, a fur coat, a television
and cash.
In 1970 Ronnie and Lester moved to Rogers, Arkansas where they began Graves
Real Estate Company. After Lester’s death, Ronnie worked as an agent at Jim
Campbell Reality and later joined the Lindsey Real Estate team, where she became
an Associate Broker, obtained her GRI Certificate, became a member of the
Million Dollar Club, a member of the Rogers Board of Realtors and a member of
the Women’s Council of Real Estate.
Ronnie was known to be a beautiful, poised and accomplished woman, with a sharp
wit and a playful nature. She loved to dance and was an avid bridge player, earning
her Life Master Certificate. Ronnie was very social and enjoyed the company of her
family and friends. She was an active life-long member of the Beta Sigma Phi
sorority.
Ronnie was a devout Catholic and a member of the St. Vincent de Paul congregation
in Rogers, Arkansas. She contributed to her church in many ways, including her
prison ministry work at the Women’s’ Correctional facility in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.
She was preceded in death by her husband William “Lester” Graves (June 12,
1981); son, William Schafer Graves (January 14, 1978), daughter Rebecca Graves
Trammel (January 1, 2006) and her siblings, Jo Loveless, Elizabeth Rich, Fran
Moncrief and Alice Jane Holbert .
Ronnie is survived by her two grand-daughters, Leslie Mary Meeker and Katie
Meeker Buccolier and husband, Dino; three great-grandchildren, Matteo, Marco
and Fransesca Buccolier, of Rogers; and one brother, William Schafer of Stuttgart.
Visitation will be Monday, September 16, 2013 at 5:00 with a Rosary beginning at 7:
00p.m. at Stockdale-Moody Funeral Chapel in Rogers.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00AM, Tuesday, September 17, 2013 at St.
Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Rogers conducted by the Monsignor David
LeSieur.
Burial will be at 4:00p.m. Wednesday, September 18, 2013 at Holy Rosary
Cemetery in Stuttgart, AR with Father Phillip Reaves officiating.
Memorials may be made in honor of Ronnie Graves to The American Diabetes
Association, 1730 SE Moberly Lane, Bentonville, AR 72712.
Special thanks to Teri Vollard, Heather Tuck, Carol Anne Tuck, Mary Hurtig, Dick
and Nancy Trammel, Bill and Jocelyne Meeker, Sees Candy, St. Vincent de Paul
Church and Patient’s Choice Hospice.
CONDOLENCES
My sympathy goes out to Ronnie’s family. She was such a neat person--always
upbeat and cheerful. I worked with her at Lindsey & Assoc., but was acquainted
with her before that time. I also had met Lester through my employment with Hardy
Croxton, Sr., Attorney.
Best wishes to all.
Ruby Ginn Watkins