Marilyn Graves

Marilyn Kay Graves, 78, of Kansas City, MO passed away peacefully from pancreatic cancer on January 30, 2020.

Marilyn was born on November 12, 1941 in Independence, MO to Bernard and Leona Barker. She graduated from Lee’s Summit High School in 1959 and attended the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, MO and the University of Missouri in Columbia, MO, where she received her BA in Education. Marilyn continued to further her education, obtaining her Master’s degree. She spent most of her career as a teacher in the North Kansas City School District. She taught English and U.S. History for Winnetonka and Oak Park high schools. She married Winferd “Walt” Graves Jr. and from this marriage had two daughters. Spending time with her family was always very important to her and she especially loved traveling with them and playing an intense game of Bunko. Marilyn also enjoyed attending plays and symphonies, reading, watching movies, and never missed her weekly workouts at the gym. She was involved with the Assistance League of KC and the Kosmos social group. She had an incredible sense of humor, strength, and grace, which will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by her daughters, Jill (Larry) Rodgers and Corrie (Bill) Tice; grandchildren, Ethan and Finnegan Dwyer, Lillian and Liam Tice, and Breanna and Morgan Rodgers; sister, Sharon Taylor, and many friends. She is preceded in death by her parents and husband of 43 years, Walt Graves.

Funeral services will be held at North Oak Christian Church on Sat. Feb. 8th at 11:30am, with visitation beginning at 10:00am. Contributions may be made to North Oak Christian Church, where Marilyn was a proud board member, choir singer, and Sunday school teacher for more than 40 years.