Sherman David Graves, Sr.

Mr. Sherman David Graves, Sr. the son of McKinley Washington Graves and Hattie Keesee Graves, was born, in Rockingham County, on March 10, 1937. He was the fifth born of eleven children. On Saturday, December 7, 2024, Sherman breathed his last breath here and, simultaneously, breathed his first breath in Heaven. He is now reunited with family, friends, warriors of the faith, but most importantly, he is back with his Father, who commissioned him to come to this earth nearly 88 years ago and who has now summoned him back to his eternal home!

He lived the majority of his life in Rockingham County, excluding the few years he lived, in the beginning of his marriage, in Staley NC. He attended the local public schools, graduating from Booker T. Washington High School in the class of 1955. He joined the church, at an early age, attending New Center Primitive Baptist in Reidsville.  His family was one of the founding members of “New Center”. He helped with duties in the church until splitting time at New Center and Oliver’s Chapel AME Zion Church which was the home church of his wife, Linda. When he was able to do so he began working more diligently at churches in and around Rockingham County, ending up at Brown’s Arbor Primitive Baptist Church, serving as deacon to his brother, Pastor Ernest Hollywood Graves.

In October of 1963 he married Linda-Lou Marcetta Matthews. They were married, until her heavenly departure, in 2009, for 46 years.  To their union they added four children.  Sherman worked hard at establishing his craft as one of the finest masonry contractors in the Triad and throughout all of North Carolina. After growing his brand, he branched out into entrepreneurship, becoming a partner with his wife, Linda, even naming their company after her, the Linda-Lou Masonry Company. The company built homes listed in the Parade of Homes and also the company contributed to the Reidsville area, building such projects as Reidsville Junior High (now Reidsville Middle), First National Bank, the “New Gym” at Reidsville High School, and Reidsville Community Football Stadium.

He was an advent sports fan, loving the Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Dodgers and, unfortunately the North Carolina Tar Heels. Being loyal to his son, he learned to love the WSSU Rams, too.  His deep love was baseball and, later, golf. He was a mean competitor, often smiling and laughing but when it was time to go for the win, he was coming for ya’!  He also loved to sing, singing in the Senior and Gospel Choirs, with Linda, at Oliver’s Chapel and in a quartet group, with his “Uncle Dolphus,” but his secret goal had been to be a country music singer.

Sherman was predeceased by his parents, McKinley and Hattie, seven siblings, a step-sister, Melzetta Neal Friday, wife, Linda, and two children, including Jamie.

He leaves behind to cherish him, his son David (Maria), daughter, Davida, grandsons, Dameatrae and Montel, his brothers William and Paul, sister Vertie-Mae, nephew Douglas (of the home), a host of nephews, nieces, relatives and friends, Special neighbor Dennis Neal, and special friend, Ms. Rose Palmer. He will be missed.

A celebration of life service will be held at 12:00 p.m., Saturday, December 21, 2024 from the Elm Grove Baptist Church, 1302 US-29 Business, Reidsville, NC. The family visitation will be from 11:30 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at the church. Burial will follow at Olivers Chapel AME Zion Church, Staley, NC.

Public viewing will be held Friday December 20, 2024 from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Elm Grove Baptist Church.

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