Dr. Clinton H Graves, Jr., 89, died Saturday, August 6, 2016.

Visitation will be from 9:30 to 11:00 Tuesday, August 9 at First United Methodist Church Starkville with funeral services to follow at 11:00 also at First United Methodist Church and burial at Enon Cemetery in Ackerman, MS.

Clint was born on July 22, 1927 in Ackerman MS. He was married to Nancy Kirby of Macon, MS in 1964 and they had one daughter, Leigh. His faith in God as his Lord and Savior was the foundation upon which he built his life. After God and family, his profession was a great joy and passion throughout his life. He graduated from Mississippi State in 1950 with a BS in Botany and a minor in Chemistry. He received his PhD from the University of Wisconsin in 1954. At Wisconsin he was a Rockefeller Scholar and Research Foundation Fellow. He joined the faculty of the Plant Pathology Department at Mississippi State in 1953 where he remained until retirement in 1992. His students brought him great pride and many became like family. During his career, he authored or co-authored over 170 research publications in professional journals and received numerous professional awards. He was an accomplished pianist and enjoyed sharing his talent anytime the opportunity arose. He accompanied the Men for the Master of First United Methodist Church for several years. Clint was active in the community and was a charter member of the Starkville Kiwanis Club and Faith Baptist Church.

Clint is survived by his daughter, Leigh and her husband Danny Thomas of Jackson; three grandchildren, Kirby, Lakin, and Taylor of Jackson; brother Merlin and Mickey Graves of Columbus; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy Kirby Graves; parents, Clinton H and Johnnie Cockrell Graves; and brother, Elvis and Elizabeth Graves.

Pallbearers are Lakin Thomas, Taylor Thomas, Taylor Harvey, Bennie Graves, Dr. Hamid Borazjani, and Dr. Gary Windham. Montgomery Gardens Assisted Living Home, staff and residents, were a blessing during the last year for which we are so very thankful.

Memorials may be sent to the Wesley Foundation at MSU, P O Box MY, Mississippi State, MS 39762.