James Higby Graves

James, Jim Higby Graves, 91, of Albany, GA died early Tuesday morning June 28, 2016 at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital. He was born Sunday, March 15, 1925 in Youngstown, OH to the late Estes Varian E.V. Graves and Josephine Higby Graves.

Jim joined the U.S. Navy in 1942 only one year after enrolling in Kenyon College to serve his country as a navigator during World War II. This did not begin immediately however because he was selected to go through Officer Training School where he met the girl that was to become his loving wife of 70 years. Ellen Isabel Frazier was attending the school where some of Jim’s classes were held at Ohio Wesleyan University. After faithfully serving his country and marrying Ellen in California, Jim graduated with a Masters Degree in Economics and then later attended Cornell University Business School in Ithaca New York. Together Jim and Ellen traveled the country living in numerous places while Jim was working in construction building underground transportation tunnels but after leaving their Eastern Shore Maryland Farm, the couple moved to Dougherty County GA in 2002. They purchased property that is now known as Excel Pecans and he operated this business throughout the time they have lived in the Albany area.

In addition to his wife Ellen Isabel Frazier of Albany, GA, he is survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. There are currently no scheduled services being planned for Mr. Graves at this time.