Dr. Vernie Moore Graves, Jr., 90, affectionately known as "Doc", of Williamsburg, Va., passed away peacefully December 18, 2010 at Spring Arbor Assisted Living Center. He was born June 29, 1920 the son of the late Anna Kate Young and Vernie Moore Graves, Sr. He was predeceased by his sisters, Margaret Banks Graves and Alice Brockman Russell.

He graduated from Virginia Tech and University of Pennsylvania Veterinary School and was also a veteran having served in the U.S. Army as a combat engineer. While in vet school, he met his beloved wife, Carolyn, who was attending the school of dental hygiene. After their marriage November 5, 1949 they moved to Culpeper, Virginia where he joined his uncle Page M. Graves' (also known as "Doc") veterinary practice. He was a member of the Culpeper Baptist Church. In the little spare time he had, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and being with his family. He could also play a mean game of poker! After many years of practice, raising four daughters, and establishing the Culpeper Animal Hospital, he and Carolyn retired to Kitty Hawk, N.C. for over 20 years where he was well known as a fisherman and a man who could fix anything. Daily, he could be found checking out the local piers or in Winks Grocery catching up on the latest fishing news. He belonged to the Kitty Hawk Presbyterian Church. Leaving Kitty Hawk, they moved to Lake Prince Woods in Suffolk, Virginia for nine years where he was well known for his beautiful yard and tomato garden. In March of 2010 they moved to Williamsburg, Va.

Doc is survived by his wife of 61 years, Carolyn Jones Graves; 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., Lindsay Graves Britton and Gary Britton of Charlottesville, Va.; grandchildren, Chris Brown, Joshua Brown Lauren Nunnally, Lesley Purviance, Matthew Dabson, Meredith Dabson; 2 great grandchildren, Torie Brown and Cohen Purviance; sister, Mary Page Thompson of Mechanicsville, Va., and several nieces and nephews.

A celebration of his life will be held Tuesday, December 21, 2010 at 1 p.m. at Spring Arbor Assisted Living Center in Williamsburg with Rev. Ronald Strong officiating. Parr Funeral Home and Crematory of Suffolk, Va. is serving the family and condolences may be registered online at parrfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to any animal or other favorite charity.