Obituary of Terry Whiteside Graves

Terry Whiteside Graves, age 64, passed away August 8, 2018, after an extended illness. She is survived by her husband of 39 years, Lamar Ross Graves, Jr., whom she met in high school.

Terry was born on March 15, 1954, in Nashville, TN, to Marilyn (Burns) and Charles Robert Whiteside. She is preceded in death by both parents as well as her beloved grandparents, Mary and Arthur Burns. She is survived by her sons, Kenneth Ross (Lauren) Graves of Brandon, MS and Devin Arthur Graves of Summerville, SC. She also leaves a brother, Chuck Whiteside of Smyrna, GA, a stepfather, LeRoy Handsel, a stepsister, Shelia Regan, and two nieces, Rachel Regan and Nicole Regan.

She received her bachelor's degree in Middle School Education from the University of Georgia in 1977. She had a 31-year teaching career that took her to Georgia, East Tennessee, and South Carolina. Most recently, she taught Social Studies at the Charleston County School of the Arts from its inception in 1995 until her retirement in 2014. She was known for her enthusiasm, creative teaching methods, and the care and love she gave to every student. Terry was a patron of the arts and encouraged her students in their artistic development. She regularly attended concerts, theater performances, and other fine arts events featuring the work of her students, colleagues and friends. She also enjoyed many types of arts and crafts, including crossstitching, beadwork, and arranging flowers. Terry particularly loved sharing her work with family and friends.

A memorial service will be held at her church, Sunrise Presbyterian (3222 Middle Street, Sullivan’s Island, SC), at 3:00 pm on Saturday, September 1, 2018. A private inurnment will take place at Mepkin Abbey in Moncks Corner, SC prior to the memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in Terry’s honor to the Sunrise Presbyterian Church Music Program or the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Alliance (ocrfa.org).

Arrangements are being handled by Simplicity: Lowcountry Cremation and Burial Services - Summerville location.