Obituary for Mary Lou Graves
Mary Lou Graves, 90, of Bloomington, passed away on Saturday, January 14, 2023, at
Cedarhurst Senior Living. She was born on October 22, 1932, the eldest child of Milton and
Mary Dale (Baugh) Pitman and was a 1950 graduate of Bloomington High School.
Mary Lou worked for many years at RCA. After marrying her sweetheart, Don, they lived
away from Bloomington for several years, but their desire to be near family brought them
back to Bloomington. Mary Lou worked at home to raise two daughters, returning to work
when they were in their teens. She was a bank teller at First National Bank (later Bank One)
in Highland Village IGA where she remained until her retirement in 2002. She enjoyed
taking treats for her co-workers and loved seeing her customers. She enjoyed canning
green beans, freezing corn and making jams often joined by her parents, Joan, Bob and
Linda. Mary Lou baked cookies at least twice weekly and regularly cooked for her loved
ones. Mary Lou was also a 4-H leader, a league bowler, and a member of both Sigma
Epsilon and the Highlanders.
Mary Lou was a prize-winning baker whose treats earned her many ribbons at the Monroe
County Fair and she won the Monroe County Fair Bake-Off several times. She was also an
accomplished seamstress who outfitted her daughters and niece in matching dresses. In
her later years, Mary Lou shone brightly as Mammo to her three granddaughters. The
three granddaughters her biggest joy.
Mary Lou was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Don Graves; her parents;
sister, Joan Brummett; brother-in-law, Richard Brummett; and nephew, Steve Brummett;
father-in-law and mother-in-law, Morris and Lois Graves, sister-in-laws and brother-in-laws
Alice Beymer, Clarice and Dave Hennon, Bryce Graves,
Survivors include two daughters, Susan Graves and Kathy Stallsmith; son-in-law, JR
Stallsmith; three granddaughters, Katie, Lauren, and Allyson Stallsmith; and niece, Shelly
(Bill) Powell. Mary Lou is also survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Bob and Linda
Pitman, and two nephews, Mike (Cindy) and Mark Pitman. Survivors also include brother-
in-law & sister-in-law Eric & Terri Graves, and several nieces and nephews.
The family wants to extend a special thanks to the many that have cared for Mom
throughout the years at Autumn Hills Memory Care facility (Cedarhurst). There have been
some exceptional caregivers for Mary Lou who are so appreciated by all of us. A special
thank you to Lora Elkins-Scott, who went the extra mile.
Visitation will be held from 4-8pm on Friday, January 20, and 12-1pm on Saturday, January
21, at The Funeral Chapel of Powell and Deckard, 3000 E. Third Street Bloomington,
Indiana.
Funeral services will be held at 1pm on Saturday, January 21, at The Funeral Chapel, with
burial to follow at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery on Burma Road.
Memorial contributions may be made to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library or the
Community Kitchen of Bloomington Backpack Buddies Program.
Cedarhurst Senior Living. She was born on October 22, 1932, the eldest child of Milton and
Mary Dale (Baugh) Pitman and was a 1950 graduate of Bloomington High School.
Mary Lou worked for many years at RCA. After marrying her sweetheart, Don, they lived
away from Bloomington for several years, but their desire to be near family brought them
back to Bloomington. Mary Lou worked at home to raise two daughters, returning to work
when they were in their teens. She was a bank teller at First National Bank (later Bank One)
in Highland Village IGA where she remained until her retirement in 2002. She enjoyed
taking treats for her co-workers and loved seeing her customers. She enjoyed canning
green beans, freezing corn and making jams often joined by her parents, Joan, Bob and
Linda. Mary Lou baked cookies at least twice weekly and regularly cooked for her loved
ones. Mary Lou was also a 4-H leader, a league bowler, and a member of both Sigma
Epsilon and the Highlanders.
Mary Lou was a prize-winning baker whose treats earned her many ribbons at the Monroe
County Fair and she won the Monroe County Fair Bake-Off several times. She was also an
accomplished seamstress who outfitted her daughters and niece in matching dresses. In
her later years, Mary Lou shone brightly as Mammo to her three granddaughters. The
three granddaughters her biggest joy.
Mary Lou was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Don Graves; her parents;
sister, Joan Brummett; brother-in-law, Richard Brummett; and nephew, Steve Brummett;
father-in-law and mother-in-law, Morris and Lois Graves, sister-in-laws and brother-in-laws
Alice Beymer, Clarice and Dave Hennon, Bryce Graves,
Survivors include two daughters, Susan Graves and Kathy Stallsmith; son-in-law, JR
Stallsmith; three granddaughters, Katie, Lauren, and Allyson Stallsmith; and niece, Shelly
(Bill) Powell. Mary Lou is also survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Bob and Linda
Pitman, and two nephews, Mike (Cindy) and Mark Pitman. Survivors also include brother-
in-law & sister-in-law Eric & Terri Graves, and several nieces and nephews.
The family wants to extend a special thanks to the many that have cared for Mom
throughout the years at Autumn Hills Memory Care facility (Cedarhurst). There have been
some exceptional caregivers for Mary Lou who are so appreciated by all of us. A special
thank you to Lora Elkins-Scott, who went the extra mile.
Visitation will be held from 4-8pm on Friday, January 20, and 12-1pm on Saturday, January
21, at The Funeral Chapel of Powell and Deckard, 3000 E. Third Street Bloomington,
Indiana.
Funeral services will be held at 1pm on Saturday, January 21, at The Funeral Chapel, with
burial to follow at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery on Burma Road.
Memorial contributions may be made to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library or the
Community Kitchen of Bloomington Backpack Buddies Program.