Betty "Penny" Graves

Betty L. “Penny” Burkhalter Graves, 86, of Newberry, widow of Leon D. Graves, died Monday, December 7, 2009, at J. F. Hawkins Nursing Home.

Born on September 15, 1923, in Gordo, AL, she was a daughter of the late Joseph E. and Bobbie Ballard Burkhalter. She was retired from Whitten Center and was a former member of Central United Methodist Church. Mrs. Graves was an avid bridge player and a loving mother and grandmother.

Surviving are sons, Leon E. (Dagmar) Graves of Germany, Stephen C. (Sandra) Graves of Newberry and Craig A. (Deborah) Graves of Tuscaloosa, AL; her twin brother, Boyce Burkhalter of OK; four grandchildren, Eric Graves, Brad Graves, Audrey Ryan and Houston Graves. Mrs. Graves was predeceased by a sister, Wynona Christian and brothers, Stewart, Homer, Wilburn, Norman and Murray Burkhalter.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 9, 2009, at Lewis Memorial United Methodist Church by the Rev. Woody Wiggins. Burial will be at Sunset Cemetery in North Port, AL. Visitation will be Tuesday from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. at McSwain-Evans Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 3225 Sunset Boulevard, Suite 100, West Columbia, SC 29169.

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