Reverend Albert “Al” Richard Graves, of St. Louis, MO, passed away on Friday, September 19, 2025. He was 97. He was born October 21, 1927, to Pearl and Richard Cave Graves. 

Al was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. He will be missed by the countless people into whose lives he brought joy, compassion, music, and love. 

Raised in Ravenna, Kentucky, Al grew up with a Christian faith that emphasized love of neighbor over any dogma or doctrine, which he carried throughout his life.

His career and his faith were interconnected. As an ordained Disciples of Christ minister, Al served as an educator, musician, and pastor. After an early career in ministry, he joined the Christian Board of Education, where he edited publications including curriculum and a denominational magazine for families, as well as typesetting the Chalice Hymnal and Chalice Praise Hymnal.  

A prolific amateur photographer throughout college and beyond, Al observed and celebrated the world with a keen eye—whether capturing it on film for posterity or simply reveling in the antics of his children and grandchildren. He served on the leadership team at his church and took joy in supporting his wife in her many projects and community endeavors.

Al was a pillar to those around him. He will be remembered for his playfulness and sense of humor, his unconditional acceptance of people as they are, his curiosity and expansive love for life. 

He is preceded in death by his wife of 48 years, Betty Graves. He is survived by his children, Beth Bear, Tim Graves, and David Graves, and his daughters-in-law, Magdalyn Sebastianand Deborah Wall; his grandchildren, Bryan Graves, Jessica Graves, Isaac Graves, Jacob Bear, and Christina Utz, and their spouses and partners Jamie Sims, Frances O’Brien, Breetel Graves, Laura Craft, and Steven Utz; and his great-grandchildren, Nylah Pierce, Gideon and Reena Graves, and Maddalena and Albert O’Brien. 

His memorial will be held on Tuesday, October 21st, 2025, at 10am at Florissant Valley Christian Church. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to Memorial Boulevard Christian Church, where he played the piano each Sunday for nearly four decades.