Obituary of Charlotte Lou Graves
Charlotte L. Graves
Living to the age of 97 is amazing! And our Lady that lived that life was amazing herself.
Charlotte Lou was born June 24, 1925, to Charles H. and Lou Ella Newman in Arvada, CO. She was the oldest of their two daughters. Growing up on the family dairy and farm property on 52nd Avenue she continued living there her entire life. She went to the Arvada schools and graduated from Arvada High School. On October 1, 1945, she married Philip G. Graves an Art student at Kirkland Art school and later became a civil servant for the US Army and Air Force.
Charlotte and Phil had three children. Daughters Janet (1947), Judy (1950) and Jill (1962).
Family was very important to Charlotte. Any activities the girls were involved in, she became active too.
Active in the E.L. Foster Elementary School PTA, she was one of their first presidents. Girl Scout co-leader, with life-long friend, Margie Price for 12 years. Director of Patrol for the Jobs Daughters Bethel 5 drill team, active in the Arvada Lions Club, several Home Demonstration Clubs, card clubs and for over 30 years served as a Volunteer Coordinator for the Channel 9 Health Fair. She was also a member of the Arvada Historical Society. She was a great event planner for every situation, and although you might not guess it if you ever played Pictionary with her, she was very creative and enjoyed making table decorations, special occasion candy mints and arrangements for any special occasion. She had a special talent to “enlist” volunteers to assist her in all endeavors.
Charlotte loved to travel especially with family and friends. Cruises to Alaska and the Caribbean, road trips through the US and her favorite family Christmas’ and vacations sitting on the lanai overlooking Napili Bay on Maui.
Throughout her life she treasured extended family. She loved children and seemed to always have a pack of them around. She hosted family reunions, day cared for her grandson, Jeff; and raised her Granddaughter Samantha until she sent her off to college. Family holidays were always celebrated with her love of “providing” family traditions she passed down from her own happy childhood. She once said that her favorite thing was cooking for her family. And she was a very good cook. She also enjoyed reading, doing crossword puzzles and other word puzzles. Throughout her life she enjoyed sports --cheering her grandsons’ baseball and football teams, and following her son-in law, Ted playing semi-pro football. She also was always cheering for John Elway and the Denver Broncos through their good and bad seasons; and religiously followed her beloved Colorado Rockies.
Charlotte passed away, age 97, at her home on October 29th, 2022, suffering a broken hip in August and never regaining her strength. Her mind was as sharp as it had always been, and her sense of humor was constant.
Charlotte leaves behind her daughters, Jan Graves, Judy Graves-Jessup, and Jill Ash (husband Ted). Her Grandson, Jeff Jessup (wife, Autumn) and his family great grandchildren, Shawn, Payton and Chloe. Grandsons Brian and Cody Ash. And great-granddaughter Samantha Jessup and great-great grandchildren Sarah, Logan, Lilliana, and Mason Gibbons.
Services will be held on November 16, 2022, at Aspen Mortuary, 6370 Union St. Arvada, CO. 80004. Visitation will be at 12:00; service at 1:00 pm; burial at 2:30pm, Crown Hill Cemetery, 7777 W. 29th Ave. Lakewood CO. 80215. Reception following at the family home, 6821 W. 52nd Ave. Arvada, CO 80002. In Lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Arvada Historical Society.
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