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‘Bob’ Graham
FRANKLIN, Tenn. — Robert Lee “Bob” Graham, 82, of Franklin, Tennessee, (formerly of Charleston, Missouri), died on Jan. 19, 2024, with his two daughters, Missy and Robin, beside him at Williamson County Medical Center in Franklin.
Bob was born on July 2, 1941, in Blodgett, Missouri, to the late Robert Clinton Graham and Freda Barnes Graham. In 1945, the family moved to Charleston, Missouri, where Bob, along with his siblings Honey and Tom, grew up, attended church and school and enjoyed being with family and many friends. After graduating from Charleston High School, Bob attended William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri, until he got the mumps and then attended Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky, for one semester. Realizing that it was not the best fit for him, he convinced his father into letting him enroll at Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee, Oklahoma, where he met his future wife, Meekee Morgan, and later graduated in 1964. Bob and Meekee got married on June 26, 1965, and later had their first daughter, Melissa, and a few years after that their second daughter, Robin. Bob continued his education and earned a Specialist Degree in Education from Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. His career of 31 years in education included serving as a Charleston High School history teacher, a junior high school counselor and coach, principal of Hearnes Elementary School, and Assistant Superintendent of Charleston R-1 School District. Bob was known as an advocate for the teachers and staff, and he instituted policies that focused on making the educational environment conducive to learning, particularly at the elementary school level. He was instrumental in starting and developing the gifted children’s program known as HY-PO, the first program of its kind in Southeast Missouri. Bob was a great servant leader and administrator to all the teachers and staff throughout the school district - including principals, teachers, aides, secretaries, nurses, maintenance personnel, janitors, bus drivers, kitchen employees, and repairmen. These were his people, these were his friends, and those who knew him, knew that about him. After his retirement from the school district, Bob focused on farming his land in Mounds, Illinois. He loved having more time to play golf with his friends at the Charleston Country Club, playing cards and going on many golf trips to Florida with those friends, going on trips with his family, and later spending time with his grandchildren. He lived in Charleston most of his life until 2017 when he and Meekee moved to Franklin, Tennessee, to be near their two daughters and four grandchildren. Bob was a member of the First Baptist Church of Charleston his entire life where he served as deacon and Sunday School teacher. Other areas of service during his lifetime included the Charleston Kiwanis Club, President of the Charleston Country Club, and co-coordinator of the Dogwood-Azalea Festival with cousin Eddie Graham. Bob was a great man of faith who demonstrated the love of Jesus through actions rather than words. He was beloved by so many who knew him and will forever be missed.
Bob is survived by his wife, Meekee Morgan Graham; daughter, Melissa Graham Reynolds and her husband Bill Reynolds of Brentwood, Tennessee; daughter, Robin Graham Cooke and her husband Steven Cooke of Franklin; and four grandchildren, Daniel Reynolds, Emma Reynolds, Morgan Cooke, and Davis Cooke. Other survivors include: his brother, Tom Graham; and sister-in-law, Melissa Graham; nephews, Neel Owens, Clinton (Tabatha) Graham and Charles (Lindsey) Graham, plus great-nieces and -nephews Karsyn Graham, Griffin Graham, Kane Thurman and Ayleigh Thurman.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Freda Graham; sister, Ellen "Honey" Graham Owens and her husband, Bill Owens; brother-in-law, Mike Morgan; cousin, Eddie Graham; and his beloved Jack Russell dog “Daisy.”
Visitation will be held at the First Baptist Church, Charleston on Friday, Jan. 26, 2024, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Funeral service will be held at the First Baptist Church on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024, at 2 p.m. with interment to follow at the IOOF Cemetery in Charleston.
Pallbearers include Neel Owens, Clinton Graham, Charles Graham, Ryan Britton, Bill Reynolds, Daniel Reynolds, Steven Cooke and Davis Cooke.
Honorary Pallbearers and Lifelong Friends: Glennon McFadden, Larry Williams, and Gary Howard.
McMikle Funeral Home of Charleston is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com.
Memorial contributions may be given to the First Baptist Church, PO Box 442, Charleston, MO 63834.