Rufus A. McGraw, 70

Rufus A. McGraw, 70 of West Portsmouth went to be with the Lord on Monday September 29, 2008 at Southern Ohio Medical Center after a 3 year courageous battle with cancer. He was born April 25, 1938 on Rocky Fork to the late William Allen and Gladys Mae Evans McGraw. He was a truck driver and a past member of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, an Army Veteran and favored the Jackson Ave. Apostolic Church. Along with his parents Rufus was preceded in death by a sister Gladys Marie McGraw and a special nephew Brian McGraw.

Rufus is survived by his wife Ival I. Steele McGraw who he married on December 21, 1971, 2 sons Allen Ray and Bradley Dean of Indiana, a daughter Brenda of Lucasville, 5 grandchildren; Christopher, Jimmy, Frankie, Joshua and Khiera, 2 great grandson who were the love of his life Tanner and Dacota Wetmore, a brother Jr. McGraw of West Portsmouth, 6 sisters; Phyllis Hawthorne of Tye, TX, Mary Martindale of Jacksonville, Ark., Wanda Adkins of South Shore Ky, Lucy Smith of Wheelersburg, Mae Forbey of Portsmouth and Sue Journey of West Portsmouth, a special cousin Duke Copas a very special friend Tony Journey and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 2:00 PM Thursday October 2, 2008 at the Roger W. Davis Funeral Home in West Portsmouth with Michael Miller officiating. Interment will be in Friendship Cemetery with military graveside rites by James Dickey Post 23 American Legion. Friends may call at the funeral home from 5 to 8:00 PM on Wednesday and 1 hour prior to the service on Thursday. Condolences may be sent to www.rogerwdavisfuneralhome.com

Cancer is so limited, It can't cripple love, It can't shatter hope, It Can't erode faith, It Can't destroy peace, It can't silence courage, it can't suppress memories, It can't kill friendships, It can't erode the spirit, and it can't conquer the soul.