Mary Ann (Knight) Graves

It is with profound sorrow and deepest regret to announce the passing of Ms. Mary Ann Graves, age 91 of Argyle, TX.

Mary Ann Knight-Graves was born in Cameron, Texas on October 23, 1929, to the parentage of Henry Knight, Sr. and Irene Thigpen-Knight. She was the fifth child of her parent’s six children. 

Mary Ann completed her formal education in Cameron Public Schools and graduated from the now defunct O.J. Thomas High School. After graduating she briefly attended Prairie View A&M University of Prairie View, Texas.

Marry Ann moved to Los Angeles, and lived with her aunt, while attending Nursing School. Also living with the aunt was a young lady from Calvert, Texas who was a friend of the family. The friend’s name is Louise Pernetter Crane-Baker. Mary Ann and Louise establish a close friendship that expanded through the course of their lives. 

In 1960, Mary Ann married Louise’s first cousin, Edward Graves. Although the marriage ended, both Mary Ann and Edward remained close friends, until 2004 when Edward passed.

Mary Ann was employed as a Registered Nurse in Los Angeles, CA. She eventually became the Director of Nursing at the Los Angeles University Hospital.  She later accepted a position as an R.N. and Senior Administrator of nursing at the Los Angeles Veterans Administration Hospital.

When her father became ill, she moved back to Cameron, TX, and the VA allowed her a transfer to the Temple V. A. Hospital. She gladly accepted the move and transfer, to be close to her dad.

While living in Cameron and working at the Temple V.A. Hospital; Mary Ann used this opportunity to return to college and earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing (BSN), from San Marcus State University of San Marcus, Texas.

After her father passed, Mary Ann moved back to Los Angeles, and transferred back as a Registered Nurse and supervisor in the Los Angeles V.A. Health System.  

Upon retirement from the Los Angeles Veterans Administration Hospital, and to be closer to her son, Mark and his family; she relocated from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, NV. 

In Las Vegas, she was afforded the opportunity to fulfill her lifelong dream of traveling the world. She then began to travel with her nephew; Samuel, his wife Gail (her God daughter), to Alaska, also cruises to Mexico, cruises to the Caribbean Islands and finally to the country and city she always wanted to visit…which was Paris, France.

Mary Ann previously served as the O. J. Thomas High School Alumni Association from 1980 - 1982. She considered it to be an esteemed honor to serve her fellow O. J. Thomas classmates and alumni as their alumni president. 

Mary Ann believed in advancing the educational and social needs of her community. She was also a lifelong member and a past President of The Regalettes, Inc., a nonprofit group establishment of professional African American women founded in Los Angeles in 1958. In earlier years, they were known for bringing out the creme de la creme of Black Hollywood. They sponsored scholarships and community outreach programs in the city. For many years, she held several different offices in the union that represented the Nurses employed by the Veterans Administration. 

Mary Ann was preceded in death by her parents, siblings; Harvey, Henry Jr., Eugene, Hubert, and Joshua, remarkably close and dear relative; Harvey Lee (Babe) King, her close cousin Connie Mack, and her best friends; Velma Forte and Louise Crane Baker.

She leaves to cherish fond and precious memories, her beloved son; Mark Graves, grandchildren; Mark Jr., Justyn, and Sadoria, nieces; Valencia B. Kendricks of Windcrest, Texas, Irene Tindle (Elbert) of Cameron, TX, Christine Thorne of Las Vegas, and a plethora of other Nieces, Nephews, and other relatives and friends. Mary Ann will truly be missed by all who knew her.

Services for Ms. Graves is 1:00 PM, Saturday, July 17, 2021 at Oak Hill Cemetery - Cameron, TX, Min Michael D. Griffin, officiant. Please keep the Graves family lifted in prayer.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary Ann (Knight) Graves, please visit our floral store.