Jessie Corniel Graves

Jessie Corniel Graves (AKA Jesse Cornell Graves) was born on September 30, 1951 in Taft, Oklahoma, a small town in Muskogee County. Jesse was the fifth child of seven children, born to parents, Etoise Theresa Hill Graves and Joseph Graves Sr. Jesse believed his name was misspelled on his birth certificate and decided to change it (informally) to what he believed was the correct spelling.

Jesse lived his entire pre-adult life in Taft with his mom, dad, and siblings. He was baptized at the First Baptist Church in Taft. His Christian faith was instrumental in his development as a child and into adulthood. That foundation led him to plant his feet and continue his faith journey at Shoreline Church in Austin, Texas.

Jesse attended Moton School in Taft for two years, and then schools in the Muskogee School District, to include Wheatley Elementary, Sadler Junior High, and Manual Training High School, graduating in the Class of 1969. Jesse went on to attend college at Oklahoma City University. From there he decided to serve his country and enlisted in the United States Air Force as a Medical Records Specialist. He would later enlist in the Air Force Reserve, as well. He was honorably discharged from active military service and the reserves as a Staff Sergeant and Technical Sergeant, respectively.

Jesse's military service took him to many parts of the world. He was stationed at Nellis Air Force Base, near Las Vegas, Nevada and also Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan. His last assignment was at the now closed Bergstrom Air Force Base in Austin, Texas. Jesse decided to make Austin his permanent home and took various jobs, to include working at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)  and International Business Machines (IBM). While working at IBM Jesse embarked on his self-owned business venture to become an entrepeneur. This venture grew from Jesse's upbringing of working on the farmland at his home and other farms in Taft and the surrounding area. Jesse eventually took the leap of faith in 1985 and launched "Quality Lawn Service", permanently resigning from IBM.

Jesse loved his work and flourished at it. His meticulousness and attention to detail was the superior service he always strived to provide. As much as Jesse loved his work, he had a greater love for his clients, which led to many cherished and lifetime friendships.

Jesse met Teressa Faye Davis at IBM in 1984. They would later marry on November 28, 1987. One beautiful and beloved daughter, Brittany Reneè   Graves, was born to this union.

Jesse is remembered as a devoted and loving husband, father, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, cousin, mentor, and loyal friend. He had a passion for working, listening to smooth jazz, writing poems, and going to his favorite eating place, Sirloin Stockade.

Jesse's closest kin to precede him in death include two brothers - Michael, who died in infancy, and Joseph Jr. and his wife (Charlesetta Lee Graves) and child (Donita Graves); a sister - Bonnie Graves Wilkes; his parents - Etoise Theresa Graves and Joseph Graves Sr.; his grandparents, including his maternal grandmother, Rosetta Graham Hill, who helped rear him.

Family members left to cherish Jesse's memory are his wife - Teressa F. Graves (married 35 years & 10 months); daughter - Reverend Brittany Reneè  Graves; brother - Donald Graves and wife Marva of San Diego, California; sister - Etoise Graves McDonald and husband Norris of Austin, Texas; sister -  Marsha Graves of Wagoner, Oklahoma, and several nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and a multitude of friends.

Jesse was and will always be a blessing to us all!

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