Josephine “Josie” Graves, 91, of Des Moines, Iowa, and formerly of Fairfax, Missouri, died at a care facility in Des Moines on July 19, 2016.
Josie was born January 1, 1925, in Naples, Italy. She was the oldest of five children born to Ciro and Maria (Seritelli) Altamura. Josie grew up in Naples and attended school there. During World War II the family suffered because of the occupation of different armed forces, food shortages, and bombings. On December 27, 1945, Josie became the wife of Sgt. Winston Graves of the United States Army.
After the war Mr. and Mrs. Graves made their home in Fairfax. Shortly after the hospital was completed in Fairfax, Josie began working there. Eventually, she became a certified laboratory technologist. She continued in this employment until retirement. Mr. Graves passed away on June 3, 1981.
In 1983 Josie relocated to the Des Moines, Iowa, area to be closer to her daughters. While living in Des Moines, Josie worked as a seamstress and tailor at two different shops. After a period of declining health, she passed away on July 19, 2016.
Survivors include: son Robert (Donna) Graves, of Apache Junction, Arizona; daughters Teresa Gilland, Clive, Iowa, and Sue (companion Mike Markey), Indianola, Iowa; nine grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; one great- great-grandchild; sister Carmen Altamura, Naples, Italy; and sister-in-law Margaret Graves of Fairfax.
The family received friends at the Schooler Funeral Home on July 21. A graveside service was conducted by Father Peter Ullrich, O.S.B. at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery on July 22, 2016.