Hollie Dewayne "Spanky" Graves

Hollie Dewayne Graves, 71 of Hattiesburg, passed away Thursday, July 14th, 2022 at his home, surrounded by his loving family. He was born July 08, 1951 in Hattiesburg, the oldest of six children to Hollie McKeen and Betty Joe (Stewart) Graves. Growing up rural Lamar county for the most part, he was a country boy from the word go. He loved playing outside, and of course fishing, hunting, and all the things a country boy would like were right in there as well. He earned the nickname "Spanky" at a young age, with most of those closest to him knowing him by that name through his life. Spanky lived with his father in Gulfport for a short while before returning home to the Midway community. He went to work in construction with his Uncle Jimmy, and was drafted into the US Army at 19. He served honorably for three years, including one tour in Vietnam before his discharge. Spanky returned to construction after his discharge, working for several years before changing careers, and went to driving a skidder in the logging woods. Spanky is fondly remembered as an amazing guy with the biggest heart there was. He loved the outdoors, and liked nothing better than hearing a good deer race. But he was also fond of singing a bit of karaoke now and then, with Sitting on the Dock of the Bay, Ring of Fire, and Baby I Need Your Lovin' among his favorites to belt out. He was a loving family man, who worked hard to provide for and protect them along the way. Spanky was well and widely known by so many that he always knew someone, or someone knew him, just about anywhere he went. Spanky was a lot of things, but arguably at the top of the list was being a role model for his children and grandchildren. He will no doubt be forever missed by all whose life he touched. Spanky was preceded by his parents, Hollie and Betty Graves, and his brother Mike Graves. Left to cherish his memories are: his loving wife Dorothy; his children: Kathy (Bobby) Head and Russell (Cindy) Graves, both of Purvis, Mary Loveless and Junior Shoemake, and Nancy (Claeb) Garrett, all of Dixie, Roy Loveless of Hattiesburg, Joanna Aycock of Petal, and Casarah Corey of Janice; his siblings: Beverly (Bernie) Martin and Susie Bullock, both of Biloxi, Jimmy (Terri) Graves of Columbus, and Diane (Timmy) Hathorne of the Midway community. Spanky a legacy of 21 grands: Chris Graves, Kimberly Head, Ricky (Bobby Jo), Eric, and Sara Graves, Hayley and Savannah Hines, Caitlyn Loveless, Sarah Buchanan, Aiden, Hollie, and Charlie Aycock, Ashton Gentry, Carrie Anderson, Kaleb Thompson, Abbey Bedwell, Bubba, Zoe, Aubree, and Braylynn Garrett, and Walker Creel; four great-grands: Kyleen, Mahala, and Nova Graves, and Olivia Riley, along with numerous extended family and an abundantly overflowing number of friends. Services will be held at Central Landmark Baptist Church in Purvis. The family will receive friends for visitation Saturday evening from 5:30 until 9:00 PM, and again Sunday morning at 10:00 AM. The funeral service will begin at 11 AM, with Pastor Harlan Davis officiating. Afterward, Spanky will be laid to rest in a newly established, private family cemetery. Trinity Funeral Services is honored to serve the Graves family in their time of need, asking that you remember them in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.