Obituary for James Claude Graham

James Claude Graham, age 78 of Murphy, passed away on Saturday, November 1, 2025.

James was born in Cherokee county to the late Rev. Willard Graham Sr and Edna Garrett Graham. He worked as a security guard at Bear Paw Resort and was an operator at the Copper Mines. James loved restoring antique cars and spending time with his family, especially his grand and great grandchildren. He was a member of Sunny Point Baptist Church.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brothers, Ernest and Max Graham; his sisters, Lucille Rush, Deloris Graham and Ruth Kent; and two great grandchildren, Greyson and Parker Dillard.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Dorothy Garland Graham; his daughters, Pamela Harris (Scott), Connie Dillard (Rob) and Kristy Beaver (Tripp); his brother, Willard (Jr) Graham; his sisters, Dorothy Roby, Patricia Forrister and Helen Murphy; his grandchildren, Jacob Harris (Kimberly), Hanna Gray (Zack), Samuel Dillard (Jewelia), Sawyer Dillard (Sarah), Noah Dillard (Katelyn), Jonah Dillard, Jesse Beaver (Grace) and Malachi Beaver (Sarah); and his great grandchildren, Avery Dillard, Paisley Dillard, Wyatt and Knox Beaver, Haidyn Dillard, Nathaniel Harris, Phoenix Dillard, Raelyn Dillard, baby Gray and baby Beaver.

A funeral service will be held at 2pm on Tuesday, November 4, 2025 at Sunny Point Baptist Church with Pastor Kenneth Payne, Pastor Allen Harris, Pastor Kenny Corn officiating and Rob Dillard officiating graveside. Music will be by Heather Henderson and Allen Harris. Burial will be in Sunny Point Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Jacob Harris, Zack Gray, Samuel Dillard, Sawyer Dillard, Noah Dillard, Jonah Dillard, Jesse Beaver, Malachi Beaver and Conor Dills.

The family will receive friends from 6pm to 8pm on Monday, November 3, 2025 at Townson-Rose Funeral Home Chapel in Murphy.

Townson-Rose Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.


You may send tributes to the family at www.townson-rose.com