Mary Jo Graham

Funeral mass for Mary Jo Graham will be held on Wednesday April 29, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church with Fr. Gary Picou officaiting with burial to follow in Fairview Cemetery under the direction of the Geo. J. Carroll and Son Funeral Home. A rosary will be recited, followed by visitation, on Tuesday April 28, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Mary Jo Graham passed away on Sunday, April 26, at Denton Regional Memorial Hospital at the age of 84. A lifelong resident of Gainesville, Texas, she was born on July 6, 1930 in Gainesville, Tx, the first of six children born to Joe and Anna Walterscheid Walter. She was preceded in death by her husband William (Bill) R. Graham, and her son Kyle, as well as a sister, Betty Sicking, and a brother, Dr. John P. Walter.

Mary Jo loved life, her family, her church, and helping others, as well as a large circle of friends with whom she remained close and loyal. The annual Sister Trip was a favorite occasion for her. She participated in each one for thirty-six years, sharing special time with her sisters, sisters-in-law, nieces, grand-nieces, and granddaughters.

She graduated from Saint Mary’s High School in 1947, after which she attended North Texas Junior College Business School. From there she went to work at the Gainesville Daily Register in the Advertising Department, where she remained for eleven years. In 1962, she and her late husband adopted 23-month-old twin sons—Kirk and Kyle--from Germany, through the Catholic Charities.

Mary Jo resigned her job with the Gainesville Register in order to be at home with her young sons until they entered school. During that time she served as a Cub Scout den mother, a Confraternity Christian Doctrine teacher at Saint Mary’s, and maintained an active interest in community and church programs.

As much as she enjoyed working at the Gainesville Daily Register, when she returned to work, it was at her father’s lumber yard, The Joe B. Walter Lumber Company, where she advised people in the decisions of design and décor in building their homes.

She and her late husband were blessed to have travelled the world, and after his death, she continued to pursue this passion with family and friends.

During those years, she also served the Gainesville Chamber of Commerce as an ambassador, served on the board of the Morton Museum, and received the Volunteer of the Year award from both organizations. She was also active in The President’s War on Drugs, and served as secretary for the St. Mary’s Altar Society. In addition, she managed to find time to tutor students at St. Mary’s School. She was recognized as Cooke County’s Citizen of the year in 2005 by the Texoma Council of Governments. This past Christmas,,2014, she presided as the Grand Marshall for the Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade. One of her favorite events was Gainesville’s annual role as Host City honoring the surviving World War II veterans who were awarded The Medal of Honor.

Her most recent avocation was visiting patients in various nursing homes in Gainesville, and assisting others in daily life at The Wheeler Place, where she currently resided.

She is survived by her son, Kirk Walter Graham, granddaughter Misti Zimmerman and great grandson, Jacob; granddaughter Ami Pettersen and great-granddaughters Emma and Elliana; a brother; Dr. James F. Walter and wife, Marguerite; sisters Florence Blevins and husband, Barry, and Rita Chapman, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Tim Sicking, Sam Sparkman, Gary Sicking, Jack LeClair, and Pat Johnson.

Memorials may be made to St. Mary’s School or to the charity of your choice. You may sign the on line registry at geojcarroll.com