Date Of Birth: November 30, 1922
Date Of Death: November 2, 2010

Anna Ruth Graves, 87, of Carmel died on Tuesday, November 2. She was born November 30, 1922, in Union City, PA, the daughter of Joseph and Florence (Robinson) Samkowski. She was preceded in death in 1994 by her beloved husband of 52 years, Chaplain Samuel Raymond Graves, Jr.

Ruth is survived by her sister, Elizabeth Samkowski, and her three children and their spouses, Sam and Sabra Graves of Cicero, Joe and Lois Graves of Fishers, and Dave and Mary Gothi of Irvine, CA, and by 13 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Ruth met Ray in Pennsylvania at Edinboro State Teachers’ College, graduated, married, and became a teacher for a short time. Ray went off to World War II, and was declared missing in action after the Battle of the Bulge. She decided to move to California to live with her in-laws, and while on their way there, the police stopped them to inform them that Ray had been found alive and was in a POW camp. After the war Ray went to seminary and re-joined the Army as a chaplain in 1953. Ruth loved her role as a chaplain’s wife.

Ray and Ruth moved to Carmel in 1969 after he retired from the Army. During his military service, they had lived in at least ten different states plus France. Ruth cared deeply about people, and worked for 17 years as a probation officer in the Indianapolis Municipal Courts from 1970 to 1987. Ruth was especially devoted to her faith, family, friends, and church. She was always ready to pray for anyone who was hurting.

Viewing will be Saturday, November 6, starting at 1:00PM at Hope Church, 2500 East 98th Street, Indianapolis, followed by a funeral service at 3:00PM. A private family burial will be held later at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens in Fishers. Funeral arrangements by Harry W. Moore Funeral Care.