Oneita Belle Graves Loveless
BORN: January 28, 1924
DIED: August 17, 2016
LOCATION: Columbia, Tennessee
Oneita Belle Graves Loveless, 92, homemaker, died Wednesday, August 17, 2016 at Morning Pointe Assisted Living.
Funeral services will be conducted Saturday at 10:00 A.M. at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home with John Vaughan and Chad Loveless officiating. Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends Friday from 3:00 – 7:00 P.M. at the funeral home.
The family suggests memorials to Columbia Academy, 1101 West 7th Street, Columbia, TN 38401, Zion Christian Academy, 6901 Old Zion Road, Columbia, TN 38401, or Timothy Hill Children's Ranch, 298 Middle Road, Riverhead, NY 11901. Condolences may be extended online at www.oakesadnichols.com.
Oneita was raised in Hohenwald, Tennessee. She was the oldest daughter of ten children born to the late Willie Luther Graves and Estalee Hickerson Graves. After graduating from Lewis County High School and working various jobs, she traveled to Michigan and worked at the famed Willow Run Factory, helping build B24 bombers, thus becoming a "Rosie the Riveter."She met the love of her life at a cookout. The handsome Deason, his arm in a sling, had been injured in the war. He asked her if she wanted a hamburger, and the rest is history. Oneita and Deason married May 4, 1946 and their 62year marriage ended with his death November 7, 2009. She was a devoted wife, kept a lovely home, was an excellent cook, and enjoyed opening her home to friends and her very large extended family. She volunteered at school, at church, and enjoyed tending to her flower gardens. Mostly, she was a beautiful example of a Christian lady. Those around her always enjoyed her sweet spirit and optimistic attitude.
She was a charter member of the Graymere Church of Christ and recently enjoyed attending the 60th anniversary of the church. She loved family reunions, talking with friends, and most of all being with family.
In her last years she was lovingly taken care of by the assistants at Moring Pointe Assisted Living. She enjoyed her apartment and being able to look into the lovely gardens to see the hummingbirds at her window. Those attending the funeral are welcome to wear hummingbird pins in her memory.
She was a loving and devoted mother to, Terri (Jim) Baker and Larry (Gail) Loveless; grandchildren, Beth (Matt) Bogosian, Jeff (Kelley) Loveless, Jake Loveless, Lajuana Baker, Mark (Michelle) Baker, and the one who was like a grandson, Broc Loveless; great grandchildren, Blake Bogosian, Ethan Bogosian, Olivia Loveless, Lola Loveless, Lillie Kathryn Baker, and Kaelyn Wilson; sisters, Dottie (Eddie) Baker, Faye (Dick) Willis; brother-in-law, Johnny (Judy) Loveless; sister-in-law, Ann Rochelle; and several nieces, nephews, and other close family members, including long-time family friend Buddy Martin.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by five brothers and two sisters.
Family will serve as active pallbearers.
The family would like to express a special thanks to the Staff of Morning Pointe Assisted Living and her doctors, Dr. Steve Simmons, Dr. Jim Marshall, and Dr. Tim Gordon who always took loving care of her.