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Mr. Richard Dwayne Graves, 82, of Deadmon Road, Mocksville, formerly of Statesville, departed his earthly life on Tuesday, July 12, 2022 at Gordon Hospice House in Statesville.

He was born on April 29, 1940 in Davie County to the late Kerr “Slim” Bailey and Bertha Monroe Jones Graves.

Dwayne graduated from Davie County Consolidated High School in 1958, being the second class to graduate from the new school. After high school, he attended Draughn Business School. After a course in accounting, he accepted a position with R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. where he worked until his retirement at age 49.  As a teenager, he was added to the Lord’s church being baptized at Jericho Church of Christ. One of his many enjoyments was shag dancing. With his late wife and dance partner, he enjoyed many trips to SOS at Ocean Drive, S.C. He and his late wife were members of the Statesville Shag Club.  He enjoyed boating, skiing, traveling and woodworking.  He and his granddaughter enjoyed painting a barn quilt together and were looking foward to painting another one before he became ill. Just like his dad, he enjoyed restoring old cars and sitting on the bank of the river watching the river flow by. He could be a prankster pulling pranks on his young sisters, daughters, and grandchildren. He enjoyed time spent with his children, grandchildren, and son-in-law, and dearly loved them all.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Connie Glover Graves.

Survivors include: 2 daughters, Carla Howard, and Cherie Grubbs (Donald), all of Mocksville; 2 step-daughters, Beth Gregory of Charlotte, and Allison Fagg of Mooresville; 5 grandchildren, Zachary Howard (Maci), Shelton Howard, Nathaniel Howard, David Howard (Lora Benge), and Carly Walser (Daniel); 2 step-grandchildren, Laura Gregory, and Matthew Gregory; 2 sisters, Betty Cassidy (Ken), and Dale Wall (Doug), all of Mocksville; nieces and nephews, Todd Cassidy, Lisa Rivers, Angela Mauldin, and Thad Cassidy; and special friend, Kay Mills of Stony Point.

A graveside service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 16 at Rose Cemetery with Mr. Doug Wall and Mr. Donald Grubbs officiating. The family will receive friends from 9:30-10:30 a.m. prior to the service at Eaton Funeral Home.

Memorials: Gordon Hospice House, 2341 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625; or to Carolina Bible Camp, PO Box 1234, Mocksville, NC 27028.

Online condolences: www.eatonfuneralservice.com.