Family will receive friends Saturday May 30th, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. until time of service at 10:00 a.m. at Triedstone Missionary Baptist Church, 858 E. 3rd Avenue, Columbus, OH 43201. Interment: Union Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Ohio's Hospice Foundation at Ohioshospice.org. 

In Loving Memory of Constance "Connie" Graves

Constance J. Graves, was born December 10, 1941, in Manhattan, New York to Jessie and Pearl Bannerman. Constance, better known as Connie, passed away peacefully on May 12, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.

Although born in Manhattan, she spent her childhood in Farmington, West Virginia alongside her sister Diane. She later moved to Columbus, Ohio, where she graduated from Marion Franklin High School. After working for several years at Western Electric, Connie joined her beloved husband, Elijah, in owning and operating Graves Dry Cleaners. Together, they faithfully served the near east side of Columbus for over 40 years, becoming cherished fixtures of the local community.

A woman of profound faith, Connie was a devoted member of Faith Tabernacle Church of God in Christ for over 60 years. Known lovingly as "Sister Connie,” she served her church family with a servant’s heart as an usher, president of the prison and nursing home ministry teams, Sunday School teacher, and a voice in the church choir. While she often described herself as "the quiet type," those who knew understood that once she began talking, she had plenty of wisdom and warmth to share.

To her family, Connie - also known as Aunt Connie and Maw Maw - was the heart of every gathering—known for her vibrant personality, unwavering kindness, and a spirit of giving that knew no bounds. She found her greatest joy in her grandchildren and her many nieces and nephews, all of whom shared a special bond with her and usually a unique nickname she had just for them.

Connie is survived by her devoted husband of 66 years, Elijah; her children, Danny (Gail), Anthony (Silvia), Michael (Sibyl); Teresa Cochran her beloved niece, whom she shared a particularly deep and lifelong bond and raised as her own daughter. She leaves behind her cherished grandchildren Brandon, Byron (Kortney), Sequoia, Marquise, Carrington, Camille, and Brittney; her great grandchildren Maveryck, Kendryck, and Karmella; and a host of nieces, nephews, and dear friends from her church family.

She was preceded in death by her parents Jessie and Pearl Bannerman; her sisters Virginia Smith and Diane Johnson; and her brothers Donald Bannerman, James Bannerman, and Theodore Braithwaite.