Dr. H.B. Graves

Knox City — Dr. H. B. (Hilary) Graves, Jr. - Knox City, Texas

Dr. H. B. Graves was promoted to his heavenly home on December 27, 2017 at age 88.  Born December 11, 1929 to H. B. and Lucille Graves in Mexia, Texas, Dr. Graves married the first love of his life, Ruth Tollett June 1, 1948.  To this union was born Ben, Phoi and Tori.

Dr. Graves graduated from Hillsboro High School in 1947, and received his BA from Howard Payne University in 1950 where in 2014 he was named Alumnus of the Year.  He went on to earn his MA of Divinity from Southwestern Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas in 1953.  In 1981 H. B. received his doctorate in theology.

Dr. Graves was called to the gospel ministry in 1947.  His ministry for his Lord lasted 70 years.  His first pastoral ministry was the Wallace Creek Baptist Church outside of San Saba, Texas.  From there he pastored the Idabel Baptist Church near Hugo, OK.  In 1955 Dr. Graves became pastor of the Loop, TX Baptist Church.  He then went back across the border to pastor Irving Baptist Church just outside Ryan, OK.  That was followed by his ministry at the First Baptist Church in Coahoma, TX.  Then it was on to the First Baptist Church in Munday, TX for eleven years.  This was followed by his ministry at Oak Street Baptist Church in Graham, TX. After that he pastored Hillcrest Baptist Church in Palestine, TX.  Trinity Baptist Church in Sweetwater was the next church he pastored.  Dr. Graves then helped organize and build the Dogwood Hills Baptist Church in Palestine, Texas.  After retirement Dr. Graves pastored the Gilliland Baptist Church in the Gilliland community north east of Benjamin, TX.

During and following Dr. Graves’s extensive pastoral ministries, he was very active in missionary work both in the US and abroad.  He frequently did mission work in West Virginia and preached crusades nationwide.  Dr. Graves participated in overseas crusades in Spain, Germany, Denmark, Brazil, Hong Kong (twice) and Amsterdam.  In retirement Dr. Graves’s greatest career challenge and perhaps finest work was as a home missionary and seminary professor in Vermont.  There he along with his wife JoAnn founded churches, pastored churches and taught satellite seminary courses.  All while in his 70’s!

Dr. Graves’s only calling in life was to preach the gospel.  Second only to his family his only desire was to serve the Lord by being a pastor and minister.  He was dedicated to growing congregations, ministering to his flock and being available for anyone at any time.  He wants to be remembered for having lived and not having died.

Dr. Graves was preceded in death by his parents, baby brother Carroll, first wife Ruth and his second wife Mildred.  He was also preceded in death by his youngest daughter Tori and numerous aunts and uncles.

Dr. Graves is survived by his wife JoAnn, son Ben and his wife Amanda of San Antonio, TX and his daughter Phoi McGuire and her husband Steve of Haskell, TX.  He is also survived by his brothers Joel Graves and Jerel Graves.  Dr. Graves is survived by 7 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.  He is also survived by numerous step children, step grand children and step great grand children.

Services will be at the First Baptist Church, Munday, TX at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 30.  The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Annual Scholarships Fund at Howard Payne University, www.hputx.edu or at Howard Payne University, Annual Scholarship Fund, 1000 Fisk Avenue, Brownwood, TX 76801.