Dorothy "Carolyn" Rutland Graves' Obituary
Dorothy “Carolyn” Rutland Graves peacefully passed away on February 4, 2025 at the age of 91 in Gainesville, Florida. She was born on March 21, 1933 in Lenox, Georgia, and her journey through life was marked by resilience, love, and unwavering devotion to her family.
After graduating from high school at 17, she moved to Gainesville, Florida where she worked at the Canton Restaurant. She married Clayton Graves December 21, 1952, and they built a life filled with love and family. Her home of 64 years in northwest Gainesville was a sanctuary of warmth and welcome to all who visited.
Raising her four children Royce, Susan, Lisa, and Shawn brought Carolyn immeasurable pride and joy. She was a fierce advocate for her children, and her caring nature taught everyone around her the importance of empathy and service to others. A median on 13th Street bore a sign in her honor for several years after she was selected as Gresham Drug’s “1996 Mom of the Year”.
She loved all ten of her grandchildren and enjoyed the times she spent with them. She had a special bond with her granddaughter Shawna, who she helped raise from the age of two following the death of Shawna’s mother Sandra Langford Graves.
She was passionate about cooking and was an excellent southern cook. Her home was always filled with the aromas of the delicious foods she had simmering on her stove. Her pecan pies were legendary.
She enjoyed fishing and making lots of great memories camping with her family at Preacher’s Hole near Cedar Key. She liked to travel and visited Canada, Mexico, Germany and most of the United States. The Great Smoky Mountains and the beaches of Florida were her favorite places to visit.
Her kindness and compassion touched the lives of many and she will be lovingly remembered as a sweet and beautiful person. She will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.
Carolyn was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 62 years Clayton Graves, her parents William H. and Katherleen Rutland, siblings W.H. Rutland, Olline Young, Ernest Rutland, Doris Carpenter, and Cheryl Rutland. She is survived by her children, Royce Graves (Cheri), Susan Graves Fay (Bill), Lisa Graves Paffenroth (Darren), and Shawn Graves. Her surviving grandchildren are Angie Graves, Kris Graves (Sarah), Dylan Fay (Kathy), Max Fay (Crisol), Luke Fay, Aubrey Paffenroth Zakshevsky (Joe), Amber Paffenroth, Shawna Graves Poindexter (Charlie), Alexa Graves Cascio (Chris), Madison Graves, as well as fifteen great grandchildren and countless nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life for Carolyn will be held on Saturday, February 15, at the Williams Thomas Funeral Home; 404 North Main Street, Gainesville. A visitation and viewing will be held from 1:00 to 2:00. The funeral service will be at 2:00, followed by interment at Forest Meadows Cemetery; 4100 NW 39th Avenue, Gainesville. There will be food and fellowship at the family home immediately following the interment.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Shawnese Williams and the dedicated staff at Splendid Care, as well as Magnolia Ridge Memory Unit, for their loving care and support of Carolyn during her stay.
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