Obituary for Wendell Graham

MR. WENDELL V. B. GRAHAM, age 88, of Eastman, GA went home to be with his Lord and Savior, peacefully, in the early hours of Thursday, December 11, 2025. He is survived by his daughter, Wendi Graham Calloway (Nelson) and two grandsons, Robert Wylie, 28 (Fiance’ Hannah Rainwater) and Ryan Wylie 22, (Emily Claire Sherman) College Station, TX and Nashville, TN respectively. He was the son of the late Van Vera Stephens Graham and James Dalton Graham and was preceded in death by his siblings namely, Wilmatine McCranie, O’Lethia Barrentine, Angelita Selph, Buford “Jack” Graham, Emory Graham, Stephen Graham (infant) and James Graham.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 13, in the Chapel of Stokes-Southerland Funeral Home. The family will receive visitors beginning at 10:30 am with the funeral service at 12:00 noon. Dr. Jerry Peele, Rev. Clay Layfield, and Pastor Dahl McDermitt Jr. will be officiating with a private family interment at Orphans Cemetery.

All family members, officiants, their wives, and out-of-town guests are invited to join Wendi’s family for lunch at 1:15 at Roy’s Restaurant, 219 King Street, Eastman, GA.

 Mr. Graham was a graduate of Chauncey High School (1955) and served in the USNG Ready Reserve, honorably discharged in 1963 after completing his service years. Mr. Graham lived out his faith daily after he was saved in 1957. He was born the son of a farmer and landowner in the Mount Ararat Community of Dodge County, grew up on the farm, along with his 8 brothers and sisters.

 He married the love of his life, Carole Jones Graham (1943-2012) and was the father of two precious daughters, Shannon Joy Graham (1970-1974) and Wendi Graham Calloway. “Mr. Wendell “was known to many as a genuine friend, hard-working farmer, cattleman, and honest businessman. He farmed on the “home place” for 80 of his 88 years. He was a faithful member of First Baptist Church in Eastman serving as deacon when called, and sang praises to God with the Adult Choir for 60 years. He also supported Gideons International and gave routinely through remembrances of Gideon Bibles. He served as a Trustee on the Board of the beautiful and historic Ophan’s Cemetery. When approached to consider donating land to provide housing for The Refuge for Ladies, he prayerfully considered the request and subsequently donated 10 acres of land on to the ministry and recovery program.

 Later in life, he and Ms. Syble Pruett, his special companion, grew a music ministry singing to the elderly in Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Homes across 9 surrounding counties. Before his health began to fail, they sang sometimes 3-4 times a week to residents and ministered to them by greeting each resident individually, singing old hymns, a little country music, and some old-fashioned love songs. The Eastman Senior Center also held a special place in his heart as he gathered with friends weekly there to enjoy food and fellowship.  

The family may be contacted at the Graham residence, 122 Delacy Street, Eastman, and will receive friends in Southerland Funeral Chapel from 10:30AM-12:00PM Saturday, December 13, 2025, before services. In addition to flowers, the family requests contributions be made to The Refuge House for Ladies, 345 Pearl Bates Ave., Eastman, GA 31023 www.refugehouseforladies.org.