Mrs. McGraw was born October 20, 1920, in the Coldwater community of Neshoba County, MS. Her first job after finishing business college was as a legal secretary for a law firm in Philadelphia, MS. In August 1942, she married Thomas M. “Abe” McGraw and moved to Louisville. She worked for a time in the office of D. L. Fair Lumber Company, and in October 1951, she became church secretary at First Baptist Church, a position she kept for over 49 years. Carleen was a faithful member of First Baptist Church, where she served in many capacities, including department director and teacher in Sunday School, Training Union, Bible Study, and as Literature Librarian.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Mr. T. M. “Abe” McGraw; her parents, Annie Elizabeth and Bartley E. Turner; three brothers and two sisters.
She is survived by two daughters, Cindy Bush of Wake Forest, NC; and Jenise (Billy) McGraw-Greer of Willow, Alaska; grandchildren, Josh (Sarah) Bush, and Beth (Sean) Jarvah; a great grandchild, James Russell Bush; step-grandchildren, Kayte (Todd) Abeles and Matthew Greer; and several nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, P. O. Box 547, Louisville, MS, 39339.
