Mildred Joy Graves, known to everyone as Joy, 89, of Montgomery, Texas, passed away on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. She was born on August 11, 1936, in Carthage, Texas.

She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Winfred Graves; her great-grandson, Jonah Raymond Graves; her father, John Lee Howell; her mother, Vesta Pearl Howell; her brothers, John Willis Howell and Joe Carnathan Howell; and her sister, Janice Vesta McClellan.

Joy is survived by her three children, Winfred Eugene Graves and wife Kim, Joy Nanette Miller, and Michael Lee Graves; her twelve grandchildren: Christopher Michael Graves and wife Autumn, Michelle Lynn Graves, Misti Lynn Whitt and husband Weldon, Matthew Paul Miller, Danon Michelle Goldman and husband Jared, Kyle Dennis Graves, Lauren Brooke Conley and husband James, Jordan Douglas Graves, Tucker Her creative talents were legendary. She was an accomplished cake decorator whose beautiful creations turned birthdays and celebrations into works of art. She crocheted, sewed, and played the piano beautifully. When it came to games, Joy was a force to be reckoned with. Whether it was dominos, canasta, or her beloved Wahoo, she played to win and laughed just as hard when she didn't. No family gathering was ever complete without her famous banana pudding — a sweet, creamy masterpiece that everyone looked forward to and politely fought over seconds of.

Joy had a long and interesting career. She was a self-proclaimed entrepreneur who owned Graves Personnel Service and contracted for Exxon, Baylor College of Medicine, Gordon's Jewelers, Falcon Seaboard, and Zapata Oil Company. Later in life, she and Winfred opened Klein Shoe Hospital, proudly following in her father's footsteps and keeping many a pair of boots and shoes "walking" for a few more miles.

She shared a special lifelong friendship with her best friend Nina Fitch. For over 50 years, Joy and Nina were inseparable best friends who spent countless hours solving their own problems — and the world's — usually over the phone or during their many memorable cruises and casino visits, creating laughter and stories that will be told for years to come.

Above all, Joy cherished her family. She poured her love into every generation, and her home was always filled with laughter, good food, warm hugs, and the unmistakable sound of her voice on the phone catching up with someone she loved. She had a way of making each person feel special and truly listened to.