Memorial services for Delmer Eugene Graves will be conducted at 2:00 PM on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at Saulters Moore Funeral Home Chapel with the Reverend Steve Graves officiating. Mr. Graves age 81, formerly of Prentiss, MS, passed away on August 20th, 2026 in Warner Robins, GA where he had been living with his daughters, Rebecca and Heather, for the past 5 years. 

The family will receive guests beginning at 1:00 PM at the funeral home.  The family invites you to write your favorite memory of Delmer on cards that will be available at the the visitation.

Born on March 2nd, 1945 in Marion County in his family home, he was the son of the late Gladys Graham.

Delmer attended Bassfield High School until, faced with adversity from a young age, he entered the work force as a young teenager, developing a fierce resilience and an unmatched work ethic that defined the rest of his life.

After working in construction as a young teen for years, Delmer entered the US Army. He loved to tell stories of his time stationed in Germany. Notably, what comes to mind is the story of him bypassing the no admittance signs to climb the outside of the Eiffel Tower in Paris while on leave, where he was detained by security but was quickly reprimanded and released due to pressure from the chanting crowd of spectators. He narrowly avoided reprimand and punishment by the army had he been arrested. He always said it was one of the highlights of his life.

After the army, Delmer spent his life building a legacy centered around his work and his family. He was self-employed for many years in construction building and remodeling houses before accepting a job at Polk Meats in maintenance where he was known for being a dedicated employee with an ability to solve any problem on machines he had never worked on before. He had an amazing aptitude for understanding machinery.

After retiring, Delmer could often be found at Ward's drinking coffee in the mornings with his fellow retirees or taking a break from his various projects sitting under his carport drinking water out of a recycled Miller Lite aluminum bottle and watching hummingbirds drink from his numerous feeders. Delmer was always ready to stop his work and sit down to talk with anyone who came by to visit.

During his retirement, he stayed busy with his love of woodworking by making furniture, birdhouses, checker boards, and elaborate wooden toys. There was no project, especially wooden, he couldn't figure out. Delmer was once presented with an entire antique grandfather clock in pieces in a box. It was a challenging puzzle, he happily accepted and later presented the owner with a fully restored, working clock.

He frequently helped friends, family, and neighbors with projects. He loved staying active. He was the first person to lend a hand. All their lives, Delmer's children have been told what a great friend and person he was who always helped anyone in need through his generosity with money, time, or labor.

Family was Delmer's greatest joy. He taught his children how to work hard and solve problems. He taught them how to fix things around their homes and how to maintain their cars. He always said to keep the oil and coolant checked….the gas would take care of itself. He loved to joke around, and was the first to make fun of himself.

He is survived by his devoted children, Chris (Christy) Graves of Collins MS, Rebecca (Deepak) Bajaj of Warner Robins, GA, and Heather Bass of Warner Robins, GA; and his cherished grandchildren, Christopher Graves II, Kieran Bajaj, Makenzie Bass, and Curtis Bass. Being the youngest of 5 siblings, he also leaves behind a host of nieces and nephews who he loved like his own children. Delmer was preceded in death by his mother, Gladys Graham, his former wife, Gail Graves, his brothers, James Graves, Bill Graves, John Graves, and his sister, Bonnie Matheny.

Online condolences and a guest registry are available at www.saultersmoorefuneralhome.com