Carolyn Virginia Jones Graves, 84, passed away peacefully after a long struggle with Alzheimer's disease on February 20, 2012 at the Hospice House of Williamsburg. She was born in Key West, Florida on May 15, 1927 to the late Dr. Harry N.S. Jones and Lillian Spratlin Jones. She was predeceased by a brother, Howard Spratlin Jones.

Her early childhood years were spent in Key West where her father had a dental practice. She and her siblings spent many happy hours roaming around the island and playing around Ernest Hemingway's home. Her father was one of Mr. Hemingway's fishing buddies. At age 12, her family moved to Miami where she lived until attending and graduating from Florida State University and there she was a champion volleyball player. After graduation, she attended the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Hygiene, where she met her future husband, the late Dr. Vernie M. Graves, Jr. They were married November 5, 1949 and moved to Culpeper, Virginia where he went into veterinary practice with his uncle, Page M. Graves. While raising four daughters, Carolyn was active in the local hospital auxiliary and enjoyed playing tennis and creating original art in her spare time. When "Doc" retired they moved to Kitty Hawk, NC where she was well known for crafting tables, lamps, and art out of beach glass, shells, driftwood, and sand. She was a frequent sight taking long walks, biking, or scooting around on her one of a kind scooter. They enjoyed frequent visits from children, grandchildren, and friends and also loved to travel out West in their camper.

Due to declining health, they moved to Lake Prince Woods in Suffolk, VA where they spent nine years living independently until moving to Spring Arbor Assisted Living in Williamsburg where "Doc" passed away December 18, 2010. She later went to Morningside Alzheimer's Unit and to the Hospice House shortly before her death.

Special thanks to Dr. B. Mayer, the staffs of Spring Arbor, Morningside, Hospice House and Hospice Community Care. Also, to Lou Cale for bringing "Marley", whose canine visits made her life a little happier. You all are wonderful.

Carolyn is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Alison Graves Markowitz and Dr. Michael Markowitz of Williamsburg, VA, Margaret Graves Randolph of Gloucester, VA, Paige Graves Brown and David Brown of Culpeper, VA, and Lindsay Graves Britton and Gary Britton of Charlottesville, VA. Also surviving are six grandchildren, Chris Brown, Joshua Brown, Lauren Nunnally, Lesley Purviance, Matthew Dabson, and Meredith Dabson; two great grandchildren, Torie Brown and Cohen Purviance; sister, Harriet Ann Jones Peters (Robert) of Bartlesville, Oklahoma; brother, Robert Norman Jones of Gulf Stream, Florida and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of her life will he held Friday, February 24, 2012 at 2 p.m. at Morningside Assisted Living in Williamsburg with Rev. Nat Milton officiating. Parr Funeral Home and Crematory of Suffolk, VA is serving the family. Per her request, she will be cremated, her ashes combined with those of her husband and placed in the ocean at Kitty Hawk. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to the Alzheimer's Association or any favorite charity. Condolences may be registered online at www.parrfuneralhome.com.