Person:Jessie Butler (3)

Jessie Butler Graves Lay was a loving mother who raised three children while her Merchant Manne husband was away at sea Lay married James Richard "Tex" Graves in 1933, said her daughter, Evelyn Rogers of San Antonio. Lay was just 17 when she eloped to Pascagou1a, Miss., with the Texas seaman. They raised three children and were married until Graves' death in 1967. "She always regretted she never got her diploma," Rogers said. "Still, she was the smartest, sharpest woman I ever knew." Lay, 79, died Friday after a tong illness. Born Nov. 28, 1915, in Greenville, Ala., Lay lived in Houston for many years. She once worked for a dentist but was primarily concerned with her family. Lay acted as single parent while her husband was away at sea during World War II. After being widowed, she married Newman Lay. Jessie Lay's hobby was making people laugh. "She was strong-willed," her daughter said. "She was funny and clever; everyone thought so. She was well-known for her quick-witted comments." Other survivors include another daughter, Loretta White of Houston; a son, James R. Graves Jr. of Houston; two sisters, Belva Dean of Cincinnati and Mary Esther Connor of Fairhope, Ala.; eight grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Graveside services will be at 10 am. Monday at Mission Burial Park North. Memorial donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Association South Central Texas Chapter. Arrangements are under the direction of Mission Park Funeral Chapels North. (1) From the San Antonio Express-News, April 10, 1995