Haroldean Graves Marrs
Oct. 27, 1932-Jan. 11, 2023

Haroldean Graves Marrs departed her earthly home for her next journey on Wednesday, January 11, 2023, at Providence Hospice in Waco, surrounded by loving family and cherished friends, having squeezed every ounce of living from her 90 years. Hers was a life filled with love, laughter, devotion to God, family, and her unofficial title as Baylor University Women's Basketball's biggest fan. A graveside celebration will be held at 1 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 17 at the Scrutchfield Cemetery near Valley Mills, with Dr. John Wheatley officiating under the direction of Foss Funeral Home and Cremation Center.

Haroldean will lie in state at the funeral home on Monday, January 16th, for anyone who would like to come by and sign the register.

Haroldean Graves was born near the Pancake community of rural Coryell County on October 27, 1932. She was the second of five children born during the depths of the Great Depression to Harold Bradford Graves and TB (Ballard) Graves. She once remarked the hard times of her youth helped her to better appreciate the love of family, "because sometimes that's about all we had." But those lean years molded Haroldean's strength and a feisty determination tempered by an infectious smile and beautiful sense of humor. She possessed a deep appreciation for life's simple moments and pleasures, wherever and whoever they might be.

Haroldean began school first at Turnersville, then Llano, before settling in Valley Mills with her family, which she would call home the rest of her life. She joined the First Baptist Church at age eight and remained a faithful member for 82 years. In high school she was a cheerleader and skilled on the basketball court. After graduation in 1951, she worked as a waitress at the City Café, where she met local farmer/rancher Jack Marrs. They were married in the Baptist parsonage on Dec. 4, 1953 and embarked on a honeymoon trip to the Grand Canyon. Along the way, one of their stops was at the Wigwam Motel along the infamous Route 66. Haroldean called her husband "the best looking man who ever lived…besides Paul Newman." Highlighting their long union was the birth of their only child, Nancy Gayle, in 1959. Their daughter was the center of their life, and raising her and being a part of her journey formed a close family bond. They were devoted to one another, but made room to love the son they never had when Gayle was married to J.D. Cross in 1983. Jack and Haroldean loved and lived unconditionally for almost 62 years together until Jack's death in September 2016.

After marriage, Haroldean worked for Community Public Service in Valley Mills prior to the birth of their daughter. She also worked as the Valley Mills City Secretary for several years before settling at Frank Weaver Pontiac in Waco, where she retired. Mr. Weaver said she was the best Customer Service cashier the dealership ever had. Haroldean's church home at First Baptist would remain very special to her throughout her lifetime. She taught Sunday school, worked on numerous committees, and greeted all who came through the church doors with her "Mama Hug" and welcoming smile. It's been said that Haroldean never met a stranger, was quick to overlook the flaws in others, and sought the good in everyone even if it sometimes required a little more effort. She endeared herself to all she met through her work, and her daughter's friends, who were always a special part of her life.

Haroldean loved sports, outdoors, playing games and travel. She learned to fly fish in her 60s, and was happiest floating the river casting for catfish. She enjoyed traveling and seeing new things, especially with family. She and Gayle enjoyed many adventures, both before and after Gayle's retirement. They spent a Christmas together in New York City and took in a baseball game during a sleet storm in Chicago. She was even invited to a slot tournament in the Bahamas, though Haroldean referred to it as a "fishing trip." While visiting Washington D.C. following 9-11, she found the White House closed to tourists. But somehow Haroldean charmed a guard into allowing her inside the gates where he snapped her picture so she could prove to friends back home she'd been to the White House. Her favorite trip of all was a combined basketball tournament and "fishing trip" to Las Vegas in 2018 with Gayle and J.D. Along the way the three accidentlly stumbled upon the Wigwam Motel and discovered the same teepee she and Jack had spent a night of their honeymoon at was still standing and open 63 years later. When COVID put a damper on traveling in 2020, she took up camping, and that was fine because time with family and friends were what she cherished most.

Gayle said her mother was fond of bright red and pink lipstick; her theory being that if you had your purse in hand and your lipstick on, you'd always be ready for any new adventure on short notice. That adventure might be attending church, a basketball game, or a new travel destination. Or it could be as simple as a trip to Walmart or a drive in the country.

Haroldean's competitive edge made her a great bridge and Yahtzee champion, which she enjoyed playing on a regular basis. In fact, she was winning a Speed Yahtzee game which was only cut short to leave for the hospital the week before she died. But it was Haroldean's love for Baylor Women's Basketball that was legendary. She was such a regular at games that she got to know the players by name, and they loved her in return. She talked to them like family, greeting them with hugs and smiles. In 2021, Haroldean was presented the Skip Gohring Fan of the Year Award by Baylor, and she treasured it.

While Haroldean loved everything about life, her role as Mama was the one she cherished most. Being an only child, Gayle said her parents worked hard not to spoil her, but that was one thing Haroldean failed at. Gayle said her parents were strict, expected good grades and manners, and supported her throughout her life. "She did everything in her power to make me happy," Gayle recalled. The two were constant companions who did most everything together, work, play, laugh, and cry. As age took many of Haroldean's friends and family, she found comfort in younger friends, who became an even greater part of her life, and she loved them dearly.

Haroldean was a great Southern cook. Gayle said she made amazing fried catfish and calf fries, while J.D. said her coconut cream pie was the best on earth. However, Haroldean enjoyed most a simple pot of pinto beans, much like she grew up on, and she cooked a pot every week. Jack and Haroldean sold their home outside of Valley Mills and they built a small house on J.D and Gayle's farm near Mosheim in 2014. There, the couple enjoyed life. She was only a few seconds away from "her kids," and to the very end kept busy cooking, cleaning, and "taking care of us," as Gayle described it. Haroldean loved being in the middle of things, and she relished watching her family care for the livestock, plowing, gathering eggs, and especially watching the birds and deer outside her kitchen window. Her family and friends hosted her 90th birthday celebration last October at First Baptist Church and she loved every minute spent with family and friends.

Haroldean was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Darel Graves and H.A. Graves, of Valley Mills. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Gayle and J.D. Cross of Valley Mills. Other survivors include her sister, Ada Hamel, and her baby brother, Jimmy Graves of Little River; two sister-in-law's, Dolores Graves and Doris Graves of Valley Mills; numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews; her adopted grandkids, JW and Candie Garrett of Moody and their sons, Cody and Jason. She is also survived by her special friends Pat and Renee' (Nutt) Cauley (my other sweet daughter); her devoted neighbor and friend Jim Kinney; cherished family friend and Godsend Dee Horton; and her beloved cat, Tally.

In lieu of flowers, which Haroldean loved but said should be in gardens, the family asks that donations be made to the Valley Mills First Baptist Church, the Baylor Women's Basketball Tip-Off Club, or the Valley Mills Cemetery Association, which she was on the Board of Directors for nearly 50 years.

You may sign the online register book at www.fossfuneralhome.com