Obituary
Marion Birchett Nevells Graves was born February 16, 1942, to the late Mr. and Mrs. Eddie “Bee” and Mary William Birchett of Waverly, Virginia. Marion was raised in Waverly and educated in the Sussex County Public School System. She was selected Ms. May Queen of Sussex County Public Schools in 1956. One of her sibling said her handwriting was so pretty that teachers would often get her to write announcements.
At an early age, Marion began her employment career in Jamaica, NY doing domestic work with affluent families. She later returned to Virginia where she was employed by Sussex County Public schools, in the dietary department.
Marion would sing when she was very young. She was a member of Liberty Baptist Church in Waverly and later moved her membership to Rose of Sharon Holiness Church in Waverly. Her favorite song was, “I Stood on the Banks of Jordan!”
After having a massive stroke in her forties, Marion was unable to care for herself. Her family and two of her devoted sisters, Junita and Brenda, cared for her daily. Due to her declining health she moved to Providence, North Carolina with her son, Troy and daughter in law, Diane, that was a loyal and loving caregiver to her. She later lived at the Pine Forest Adult Home in Reidsville, North Carolina.
On August 13, 2022 at 2:08 p.m. Marion entered her eternal rest at Cone Health Hospital, Reidsville, North Carolina.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Eddie B. Birchett, Sr. and Mary Birchett; three sisters, Gail E. Birchett, Vivian J. Green and Benda A. Taylor; two sons, Alonzo Nevells and Shermaine Birchett; two husbands, Edward Nevells, Sr. and Raymond Graves; one foster brother, Allen C. Williams of Hampton, Virginia and one son in law, Eugene Josey of Chattanooga TN.
Those left to cherish her precious memories are her beloved family and friends to include one sister, Beatrice Junita Parham of Petersburg, VA; one brother, Eddie Birchett Jr. of Chester, VA; one daughter, Diane Nevells Josey, of Chattanooga TN; three sons, Edward Nevells Jr. (Heiko) of Leiden Nederland, Troy Nevells (Diane) of Providence NC, and Neal Nevells of Raleigh NC; nine grandchildren, LaTasha Josey of Tennessee, Neal Nevells Jr. of California, Gabrielle and Miguel Nevells of North Carolina, Arrykka Keith, Yvonne and Jade Howard, all of Virginia, Treaquon Jones of South Carolina and James Birchett of New York; four great grandchildren and one daughter in law, Tiffany Nevells, of Greensboro NC; and her lifetime friend, Evangelist Bertha Mason Smith of Waverly, Virginia.
Special thanks to the dedicated staff of Pine Forest Adult Home, of Reidsville NC, and to Trudy Blackwell and Reggie Ragsdale, whom she loved like family.
A Celebration of Life service for Mrs. Marion Birchett Nevells Graves will be held on Thursday, August 18, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at J. L. Dodson and Sons Funeral Establishment Petersburg Virginia. Evangelist Bertha Mason Smith, Eulogizing, Interim Pastor, Gethsemane Apostolic Church, Petersburg Virginia, Pastor Michael Wyche, Officiant, Crystal Cathedral Ministries, Prince George, Virginia. The interment will follow at the Waverly Cemetery Waverly Virginia.
A public viewing will be held on Thursday, August 18, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. until the hour of service.
The family is asking relatives and friends to assemble at 9:45 a.m. on the day of service at the Funeral Establishment.
Service may be viewed by Livestream at/https://www.jldodsonandsons.com/LiveStream
For the health and safety of attendees, masks are required at all visitations and services. Attendees are asked to adhere to social distancing guidelines.
Professional funeral services have been entrusted to the staff of the J.L. Dodson and Sons Funeral Establishment, 25824 Greensville Avenue, Petersburg, Virginia 23803, Rev. Jeffrey L. Dodson, Sr., Funeral Director, (804) 732-5959. Online condolences may be registered at www.jldodsonandsons.com
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