In Memory Of...

In Memory Of Those We Have Lost

Since We Last Gathered

Every year at 2PM, after we have stuffed ourselves from shared tables packed with everyone's best, we take a moment to remember those who are not among us. Those family members we have lost over the past year. This year, as he has for many years, Reverend Cousin Herk offers a prayer and blessing for those lost.

Memorial Prayer by Herk McGraw

Our most gracious heavenly Father,

we appreciate and thank you for all that

you have given us.

Today we especially thank you for those

who have died this year. They were

precious to us. Let us pause a minute

to remember them...................................

We are thankful for this reunion and those

who keep it going. It is a fun and

satisfying time to remember our ancestors.

We ask that you be with those around the

Nation who cannot be apart of this celebration.

Hold them close to your heart, oh Lord.

All this we thank you for, in the name of your

son Jesus Christ. Amen.

Benny McGraw

August 26, 1942 – April 10, 2020

Benny was the son of the late Walter and Opal (Spence) McGraw. He was preceded in death by his wife, Kaye (Lambert) McGraw, his parents as well as his sister, Sharon (McGraw) Brown. He is survived by his children Sherri L McGraw, Michelle R. McGraw and Amber McGraw-Bolick, grandchildren Whitney Herman and Johnathan Walter Self as well as 7 great-grandchildren, Taylor I. McKinney, Jacob A. Bolick, Damien N. Bolick, Michael J Bolick. Alana M Herman, Parker Herman and Braiden Herman. He also survived by his brother Larry McGraw and three step-daughters from Kaye: Angela Cook, Crystal Griffith and Kelly Wray.

You may leave condolences for the family by clicking here:

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/beckley-wv/benny-mcgraw-9124642

Photos Courtesy of Sherri McGraw

Dakota Michael Richardson

May 20, 1992 ~ June 30, 2020

A native of Beckley, WV, Mr. Dakota Michael Richardson was the son of Jesse Nelson Richardson, and Michelle Lea Sneed.   He was a fun loving, kind hearted soul that loved to game.  He took his work passion for diesel Mechanics after his Pops, Frankie Funderburk. He was a best friend and hero to his sisters.  He loved his Mother and spending time with his family and friends.  His greatest hero was his Paw Paw. 

Surviving are his wife, Chloe Richardson of Charlotte, NC, his sisters; Makala Richardson of Kermit, WV, Jessica Richardson of Belmont, NC and Erica Funderburk of Elizabethville, PA, and his brother; Dalton Funderburk of Rock Hill, SC.  Also surviving are his Maternal Grandmother; Alma (Brown) Sneed of McGraws, WV and Paternal Grandparents; Betty and Steve Richardson of Glen Rogers, WV.  He is preceded in death by his Paw Paw, James Sneed. 

Condolences may be left for the family at: www.whitesellfuneralhome.net

And while not a descendant, we would like to take a moment to honor:

Dan McGrath

1962-2019

Dan was the Chief of the Thomond Sept of the McGrath Clan in Ireland. Through DNA research done by the US McCraw Family Association we know that through our first known American ancestor William MacCraw we descended from the Clan McGrath through genetic links as far back as the 1200's. Last year, the Clan McGrath hosted an International Clan Gathering in Dungarvan, Ireland. The descendants of John & Mahala were well represented at what would be the largest clan gathering in all of Ireland in 2019. He was a gracious and welcoming host, a friend to all, a visionary leader and will be greatly missed by all the members of the Clan across the world.

McGraw Brothers by Jorea Marple

This spring a new book was released detailing the lives of two of our own. Darrell V. McGraw, Jr.,  and Warren McGraw. Written by Darrell V's wife Jorea Marple, an educator who has lived most of her life on the public stage as well. The book starts with their raising in McGraws and follows them as they enter the political scene in West Virginia and become rising stars and then eventually part of the establishment in the Judicial, Legislative and Executive branches of state government.

Jorea has graciously allowed us to share a portion of this book with you here today. It was released this spring and a big promotional tour had been planned to get the word out, but like with our reunion, the Covid-19 outbreak was an unforeseen detour. While this kickoff was delayed, you can still get a copy if you wish to do so. It is on sale at select bookstores in the Charleston area and you can also get a copy from Amazon by clicking the following link:

https://www.amazon.com/McGraw-Brothers-One-Blood-People/dp/057862916X/

After the excerpt, we have a little more about the family as well as a couple of stories that were shared with us for the Virtual Reunion.

Thank You, Jorea!

Reproduced by permission from Jorea Marple, 

McGraw Brothers: Of One Blood Are All People (Jorea Marple, 2020), 244-246.

Copyright Jorea Marple, 2018

The "McGraw Brothers" Family

While the book focuses on Warren and Darrell's careers, there are in fact 4 McGraw brothers who were born to Darrell V. McGraw, Sr., and Julia (Zekany) McGraw. Tim and Mark round out the quartet. Darrell V, Sr., is the son of William Hereford "Fud" McGraw, who was the son of William Harrison "Pole" and Pauline (McGinnis) McGraw. "Pole" was the son of John & Mahala.

3 of the McGraw Brothers (L-R: Tim, Darrell, Warren) at our 2015 Reunion.

In the 1970's Julia worked with Darrell to produce the first of our family histories. Compiling family lore with research from other family members like Dwight and Herbert McGraw (from the H.G. "Dad" line) the ubiquitous multi-colored covered booklets were distributed for years. 

We had 2 different people submit memories about the family. The first is from Patty Byars:

"My best memories of the McGraw family are when Darrell, Sr., and his wife Julia were at Sabine Grade School.  Darrell was the principal and Julia was my 2nd grade teacher.

One day a friend of mine was swinging on the restroom bars, that went across the the top of the dividers that separated the stalls. She went so high her knee broke the back of the commode. Of course, everyone ran out of the restroom. When I wouldn't tell on the person that broke the commode, Julia gave all the girls 2 slaps with a paddle. I got to talk to Julia one day in the nineties and she still remembered that day.

Julia also sent me a copy of the booklet that has the family history in it. It's a green booklet. I was in West Virginia last year and attended the McGraw Reunion. I'll look forward to seeing it on my computer Sunday."

Our second story comes from Herk McGraw, who is first cousin to the McGraw Brothers:

Following our move to St. Albans, about 14 miles west of Charleston, I would spend most of the summers, between '43 and '49, with Grandma and Grandpa McGraw. Darrell V., Warren, and I had many days of “frolic” and “devilment.” (snicker, snicker) On this day Darrell V., Warren and I were in a big discussion as to whether chickens could really fly - other than jumping off the ground a foot or two and gliding a few yards.

Wellll, this called for an experiment. Sooo, we ran to the chicken yard, grabbed a couple of hens, and headed across the creek and up the hill on the other side of the road to Uncle Pate's house. When we reached the spot as far as we dared go we pitched the two hens in the air. Instead of flying they just glided to the ground with a big thump. We never knew if those hens ever laid eggs again. Luckily neither Grandpa nor Grandma saw it or if they did they ignored it. I'm figuring they didn't see it. We never knew if those hens laid eggs again.

That's my story and I am sticking to it.

Herk McGraw

LAST MINUTE ADDITION:

We found a pic of all 4 brothers that was shared a few years ago by Portia (McGraw) Mullins, daughter of Mark McGraw. This picture was taken in 1999 at their mother Julia's 85th Birthday Party.

Julia died on February 11, 2004, at the age of 90.

My Friend Marvin C. "Jack" McGraw by Herk McGraw

MY FRIEND MARVIN C. “JACK” McGRAW

As well as I remember Jack was a short heavy set fellow. At least he was shorter than my dad. I guess I liked him because he was short like me. He was always laughing or smiling when I was around him. He seemed like a fun guy. He was a favorite around our house.

Mom bought me a army uniform when I was 6 or 7 years old. I was proud as punch and wore it all the time.

"Jack" in Milwaukee, WI, with his future wife Lois Wittemann.

Jack had joined Uncle Sam's Army and was home on leave. Whenever I saw him I would always salute and he would salute back. On this day, I was in my uniform in the front yard when I saw him coming down that old dirt road toward Ravencliff. We lived on the left side of the road and he had his left hand on the steering wheel. I jumped to attention with a salute. He had a great big smile and tried to salute me with his right hand and he couldn't get it where it should be with his head toward me so he saluted with his left hand. After he went back to camp I wrote him a letter, with Mom's help, and he answered it.

We had moved before he returned home and I never saw him again. But I will never forget the short little guy who saluted me. He was my friend.

That's my story and I am sticking to it.
Herk McGraw

(Administrator: Herk remembers Jack as a short fellow. The below picture was shared by "Mack" McGraw's son Gerald (Jerry). It was taken by his mother Rose and while we don't have a date we think it was taken in the 1950’s. Without looking at the list of people under the picture, can you guess which one in the picture is Jack?)

From left to right: Horace McGraw, G.C. "Jake" McGraw, Earl McGraw, Huey McGraw, Robert C. Byrd, Dennis Mack McGraw, Jack McGraw, Woodrow McGraw, and unknown.

An Article from the Raleigh Register about Jack's wartime exploits...

Jack admiring the hole shot out in the rudder above the windows where he sat.

The Day Milam High School Burned - Herk McGraw

THE DAY MILAM HIGH SCHOOL HOUSE BURNED

The Milam High School Class of 1923

School was out, "teachers let the monkeys out," the gang sang as we took off for home. It was the last day of school in 1943. I had just finished the 3rd grade and we were moving the next day.

My grandmother Dean, Aunt Phyllis, and Uncle Conley had come to help Mom pack to move. We lived about a quarter mile down the creek from the school on a little plot where the bridge crosses the creek to the water plant now.

Mom kicked Conley and me out of the house so they could get the packing done. We were on the hillside across the creek between the creek and railroad looking at something when we looked up and saw black smoke rising from the direction of the school. We ran home to tell Mom. She said it was probably Uncle Oak's chicken house. Naturally we had to go see and Mom said OK. We took off up the road. When we hit the turn at Ed Kerns' store, post office, and service station we could see it was the school house.

The Mullens Fire Department, I suppose, was already there. The men were rigging the hoses to pump water from the creek where it comes under the bridge.

About the time they got the water running a lady ran over the hose on her way to the post office. The pressure on the hose caused a weak spot to give way and water went everywhere. The firefighters went crazy stopping the pump and installing a new section of hose. They got the water running and guess what, here came the lady headed for home. This time the hose held.

Conley and I watched for awhile, got tired and hurried home to tell Mom it was the school burning. The big story in the family was that Uncle Darrell 's typewriter had burned in the fire.

That is my story and I am sticking to it.

Kenton Herford McGraw, Jr. “Herk”

We have a whole page on our website with information about The Old Milam High School

To check it out CLICK HERE

Picture Courtesy of Lynne (McGraw) Goroncy

1977 Milam Reunion - Hawaii comes to McGraws

Back Row L-R: Marvin "Jack" McGraw, Galena (McGraw) Kerns, Horace McGraw

Front Row L-R: Naomi (McGraw) Sadler, Mabel (Unknown)

The Church in the Wildwood by Herk McGraw

THE CHURCH IN THE WILDWOOD

OLD CHURCH

POST OFFICE, TIPPLE

There is a church in the valley by the wildwood

No lovelier spot in the dale

No place so dear to my childhood

As the little brown church in the vale

Oh, come, come, come, come

John McGraw (Beige) had two sons Harrison (Pole) and Horace Greeley (Uncle Dad) who still lived in the McGraw hollow. HG married Pearl McGinnis and Harrison married her sister Pauline (Pliney) McGinnis. A third son, Okey (Oak), lived on the hill overlooking the school and the Post Office. We lived three tenths of a mile down the road from the school.

In the late 19th Century Pearl and Pauline decided there should be a church in the community. At their insistence Uncle Dad built a small building for it about half way between his house and Milam High School– now John McGraw School. The small congregation called it a Non-Conformist Chapel. Pauline and Pearl being, sugar sweet and fiery Scot-Irish lasses, “suggested” the congregation become a Methodist Denomination. It did! (1)

I remember the membership being thirty-two to thirty-six with an average attendance of fifteen to twenty. It had three windows on each side with a small platform over each for oil lamps for night meetings. A large oil lantern with a big globe on it was used near the pulpit. Grandpa Fud and Grandma Mary kept all of them. The little church was the center of our worship community.

Sunday Services usually consisted of a short program with some singing before Sunday School classes. Singing was always a great time for me. Janet Meredith, or Mom (Nora) would hum a note and start the song. We would sing the first stanza only. “Church in the Wildwood” was my favorite.

One Sunday Uncle Leon and I were standing beside each other. I was singing away with gusto when Uncle Leon looked down and said, “Herford your book is up side down.” Made no difference to me I kept right on singing. All of the congregation singing sounded so beautiful and perfect. (I would like to have a recording of that little congregation singing now. I bet present day choir directors would cover their ears.)

Every so often we had a visiting Preacher deliver a Sermon following Sunday School. He (no women preachers then) would always have an altar call. It seemed longer than the sermon. (I went to the altar more times than a dog has fleas).

After the service the Preacher was invited to have dinner with Fud and Mary's family. That was a fun time because all us grandchildren would be there with our parents.

The playing was a highlight but the dinner was special and interesting. The women served the men and boys over twelve at the first table, us children at the second, (left-overs from the first table), and the women last (all the left-overs). Well, that didn't last long with eight screaming cranky bellies. The women decided to give us a plate, send us to the front porch, and call the men in. It satisfied mine and those other seven bellies. When the meal was over it was back to the front porch for the Preacher, Grandpa and the dads, and playing for us.

Once a year or when the older folks felt it was necessary, a revival would be held and there would be standing room only. The service was not over until Grandma (Sister Mary) had prayed.

There would always be a group of young “men” standing around outside waiting to walk the girls home. They would be talking and smoking and what ever else they did. One night I was standing at a back window with Uncle Leon and one of the “good ole boys” blew smoke in the window.

Across the road from the little church was an open field with sloped sides that was used for outdoor activities in warm weather. I remember one particular Easter while us young ones were in Sunday School the old folks hid Easter eggs in that field and when our classes were over we were turned loose to find them. When all were found Grandpa Fud would divide the eggs evenly among us younger ones. It was a hoot.

THE NEW CHURCH

POST OFFICE, MCGRAWS

Come to the church in the wildwood

Oh, come to the church in the dale

No place is so dear to my childhood

As the little WHITE church in the vale

Many years later I came to visit my grandparents and while I was there Uncle Darrell came by with a special cinder block for Grandpa to look at. They discussed its use for a new church building. I was disappointed of course. I liked the little church building and could not vision a new one.

The plans and building of the new church was hatched by Uncle Dad and Grandpa Fud. They got a group from the church community and raised the money for the building to be built. Many of the church community and the community at large jumped in and built the building and the congregation built the Church. It is a neat building with indoor plumbing, a kitchen, Sunday School rooms, a beautiful sanctuary and a bell tower but no steeple.

Daniel “Mack” McGraw oversaw the block work. (1)

Wm. Harrison “Harry” McGraw oversaw the wood work and finished out the pulpit area.

Several years later my little family, Dot and Cathi, came to visit Grandma Mary and Grandpa Fud, and we attended Sunday School in the new Church. There was a discussion regarding the strength of prayer and God's response. Grandpa Fud got up and began to witness how the congregation had prayed for a new location and how God had come through and they were able to buy the lot behind John McGraw School.

Time for contention to arise! As usual, in most any conversation objection to any statement is called for. Wilda McGraw said, “Fud, you know I told you that y'all could have the lot beside Ed Kerns' Store but you wouldn't have it. Grandpa said, “Judge not or ye shall be judged,” and sat down.

Many, many years later at a family gathering it was decided that Fud and Gertie's families would buy and install a steeple on the bell tower. I believe Shelburn “Doc” Brooks oversaw the purchase and installment of the steeple.

In 1992 Harry McGraw's wife Verna McGraw and daughter Jennifer McGraw-Beckette made the pulpit paraments in Harry's honor. They were consecrated by Pastor Bill Brooks on July 19, 1992. (4)

A couple years ago KennyMcGraw and Adam Hicks painted the steeple for the first time. (3)

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Herk McGraw

Want to hear The Carter Family sing The Church in the Wildwood? CLICK HERE

Acknowledgments

(1) I wish to think Darrell V. McGraw, Jr. for his assistance and contribution.
(2) Darrell V. and Julia Z. McGraw, The John McGraw Family, 1975
(3) Kenny McGraw

(4) Patty McGraw

(Admin-Photographs courtesy of Patty McGraw and Brian McGraw

New Photos from Herk McGraw on the Website

Herk McGraw, who was honored at this year's reunion as the "Oldest McGraw in Attendance" has sent us some pictures for the website and posted a few to Facebook, too! We uploaded all of the pictures to the site this morning and added the captions that he gave us. If you can help identify some of the people in the group pictures, let us know so we can add their names. He says he will be sharing more with us, as well. 

If you have photos that you would like to share with us, you can post them on our Facebook Page, or email them to us at photos@mcgrawreunionwv.com and we will add them to our site. Remember to "Like" our Facebook page while you're there so that our updates show in your timeline.

Thanks, Herk!

Herk at the 2013 Reunion with two of his daughters looking on behind him.