Benjamin Kelly Graves ’45

Ben Graves died May 20, 1997, at the Surry Community Nursing Center in Mt. Airy, N.C.

Ben entered Princeton from Woodberry Forest Academy and from Mt. Airy, where his father, George O. Graves, had founded the Mt. Airy Mantle and Table Co., a thriving furniture company with which Ben was associated for many years after completing his studies at Princeton. In addition, Ben was the founder and owner of a real estate brokerage in Mt. Airy. Ben was active in the civic and community life of Mt. Airy, chairing the initial United Fund drive and later serving as president of the local United Fund organization. In 1957 he was named "Young Man of the Year" by the Jaycees, and in 1989 he was named realtor of the year. He was for many years chair of the Mt. Airy board of education and was a director of the community center. Ben also served on the board of trustees of the Century United Methodist Church and chaired its building committee.

At Princeton, Ben was a member of Campus Club and during WWII was a technical sergeant with the Army Engineers, seeing combat in New Guinea and the Philippines.

In 1949 Ben married the former Barbara Ann Wrenn. They had three children, who survive, Ann Martin, Meg, and Benjamin K. Jr. Ben is also survived by a sister, Sarah, a brother, George, and five grandchildren. The class extends its sympathy to all.

The Class of 1945