Cleoria Gretta Graham

Cleoria "Gretta" Graham passed away peacefully on January 26, 2018 from complications of the flu. She was surrounded by her loving family. Gretta was 81 years young.

Gretta was born in Stewart Ohio. She lived and worked in the Athens area until her early twenties. She married Jimmy Blackford and moved to northern Ohio in 1960 – moving later to Columbus and finally settling in Pleasant City, Ohio.

She is survived by her loving daughters Darlene McCreery (Rich) Connie Barber (Gary) Loving sons Tom Blackford (Kathy) and George Blackford (Dawn).

Gretta was blessed with 9 Grandchildren and 11 Great-Grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband's Jimmy Blackford and Dana Graham and beloved grandson Georgie Blackford.

"Our mom was loved by everyone and had a true heart of gold along with a love for life. She was just six days shy of her 82 birthday. Mom had a very unusual life. She grew up in a logging camp on the side of a mountain. At only 14 years old, she often sat in as a substitute saxophone for the Ohio University stage band.

She was an incredible cook and baker. She had the opportunity to cook meals for several celebrities who visited the Cleveland area. Charles Bronson loved her meatloaf. Mom was a fighter. She survived two major car accidents as well as breast cancer later in life. She loved auctions, music and dancing. She was always quick to take "a covered dish" to a sick friend or different events - any excuse to cook for people. I spoke to my mother everyday and sometimes twice a day - the conversations seldom lagged. I will miss her famous phone greeting of " Yell-ow" and she ended most of our calls with "well, I guess I don't know anything else" and of course always I love you.."

Funeral Arrangements will be handled by Black – Epperson Funeral Home Byesville. Ohio. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 30, 2018 from 9:00am-11:00am. Funeral services will follow at 11:00am on January 30, 2018 with Pastor Christopher Dool officiating. Burial will take place at 3:00pm at Alexander Cemetery, Athens, Ohio.