Esther Grace Downs Graham

Mrs. Esther Grace Downs Graham, 82, died Monday, June 2, 2025, at her home in Abbeville, Mississippi, surrounded by her family. The funeral will be Monday, June 9, 2025, at 11:00 A.M. in the Chapel of Waller Funeral Home with Rev. Hilton Lane officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at 9:00 A.M. in West Hall of Waller Funeral Home. Burial will follow the service in Abbeville Cemetery.

Esther Grace was born on June 4, 1942, to the late Ruby Grace Keel and Clyde Marion Downs. A retired bookkeeper, she was known for her diligent and meticulous work. A lifelong resident of Abbeville, Mississippi, Esther Grace was a beloved member of First Baptist Church of Abbeville. She loved to spend afternoons in the yard, enjoying her beautiful flowers.

Esther Grace treasured her marriage to her beloved husband of 60 years, Jerry, enjoying all of life’s blessings, sorrows, and everything in between with him by her side. Together they raised four children, and were delighted to become doting grandparents. She especially enjoyed her role as Maw, showering her grandchildren and great-grandchildren with endless love and affection. There was nothing that brought Esther Grace greater joy than her family, and she treasured every moment spent with them. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Guy Downs.

Esther Grace is survived by her husband, Jerry Lee Graham of Abbeville, Mississippi; three daughters, Wanda Ginn of Brandon, Mississippi, Marion Tower of Oxford, Mississippi, and Melody Wilkinson and her husband, Tony, of Oxford, Mississippi; son, Lee Graham and his wife, Brenda, of Hernando, Mississippi; eight grandchildren, Sarah Ginn, J.T. Ginn, Matthew Graham and his wife, Tory, Dr. Emily Graham, Devin Wilkinson, Dr. Lauren Wilkinson, Maggie Tower, and Charlie Tower; and six great-grandchildren, Aubrey Wilkinson, Drake Wilkinson, Kloe Wilkinson, Jaxon Wilkinson, Ellie Wilkinson, Aidan Graham, and Warner Graham.

Expressions of sympathy or memorial contributions in Esther Grace’s memory may be made to First Baptist Church of Abbeville, 15 East Long Street, Abbeville, Mississippi 38601.