Glenna Rexine Graham

Glenna Rexine Graham (neé Amos) passed from pain to eternal rest on October 17, 2024, at the Ohio Masonic Community in Springfield, Ohio. She was 95. She resided for nearly all her adult life in Clark County, including over 60 years in New Carlisle, Ohio. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles (“Charlie” “Bud”) Graham; one great-grandchild; parents Harley Glenn and Mary Ann (Warner) Amos; seven sisters and one brother. Mom was born October 19, 1928, in Harrisonville, OH.  She was the seventh of eight girls; they had one ornery brother. They lived in an old converted schoolhouse just “down the road” from her uncle’s farm, from which Mom as a girl fetched a pail of milk daily for the family. She ironed a dress every day for school, which dress her sister Shirley promptly purloined, but which her sister Jean always replaced with a spare; Jean was a gem. They had no electricity but their clever father hooked up the radio to a car battery so they could listen to music and news: the first broadcast Mom can remember hearing was of an execution! She paid for her lunch each school day by working in the local restaurant during its busiest hour. She trudged to the post office each week to check the names of missing or dead local soldiers. The sisters traded ration coupons and delivered food cooked and canned by their family to needy neighbors: everyone was poor but they all helped one another however they could. Mom and Dad were introduced to each other by Dad’s sister Doris. They were married almost 50 years before his death in 1997. Dad worked for first Crowell Collier Publishing in Springfield and then the Dayton Daily News, while Mom cooked and cleaned, encouraged, disciplined and guided their growing family. She often sacrificed her own needs in order to ensure that her daughters had piano lessons and new Easter outfits and her sons had bicycles and baseball equipment. In 1966, when their youngest child started first grade and the oldest started twelfth grade, Mom went to work, serving as cook, then head cook, at New Carlisle Junior High School, where she made many friends from staff to teachers to students. She retired after nearly 25 years of service. At home she renewed an old skill—crocheting. Over the course of many years she crocheted dozens and dozens of blankets, including at least one for every child, grandchild and great-grandchild in our family—and most of our spouses. She was also an avid reader and manic crossword puzzler! The New Carlisle Public Library was like a second home to her. Mom was a hands-on grandmother and great-grandmother, and everyone has at least a handful of memories—some beautiful and many, in the Graham tradition, funny—to remember her by. She only supported—never judged—her grandchildren, and she worked hard to maintain special relationships with each of them, whether they lived next door or far away. She asked for nothing from them, which made it that much easier to love her wholeheartedly. She had a special way with other-abled family and friends which always made them feel especially loved. She enjoyed family holidays, and her chocolate pies were unmatched! Glenna was an active member of the Honey Creek Presbyterian Church. The Church provided comfort and fellowship to her, and for that her family is truly grateful. She formed many special friendships among the congregants there. She was engaged in many activities and lived a very full life at the Ohio Masonic Community. She loved so many people there: her hairdresser, the postal lady, the grill cook, the security guards and many others. Left to lovingly and willingly carry on her legacy of strength and kindness are her children: Linda Eggleston (Todd “Rusty”), Richmond, VA; Mary Ann Van Valkenburgh (Bob), Huntsville, AL; Gary (Kathy), Huntsville, AL; and Eric (Margie), Tipp City, OH. Glenna will always be remembered by grandsons Zachary of Parrish, FL; Alex of Huntsville, AL; and Michael (Liberty) of Tipp City, Ohio; and by granddaughters Rachael Uebel of Aurora, IL; Renee Couch of Germantown, TN; Julie Jones (Heidi) of Rockford, TN; Annalisa Gibbons (Chris) of Media, PA; Laura Howe (Greg) of New York City; Katie (Ethan) and Mary, both of Huntsville, AL;  Jennifer Rough (Matthew) of Tipp City; Patricia Kukulka (Ryan) of Parrish, FL; and Katherine Uzcategui (Doug) of Tipp City, OH. She is also survived by 23 rascally, glorious great-grandchildren. The family is tremendously grateful to the caregivers of Rickly Commons at OMC, who attended to her as if she were their own mother, who laughed and cried with us and always seemed to intuit our needs as well as our mother’s. Each of them was exceptional. Thanks also to Affinity Hospice, especially Shannon, who patiently guided us through our mother’s final days. A memorial service to honor Glenna’s life will be held Sunday, December 1, 2024, at 1:00pm with a gathering of family and friends immediately following the service at Honey Creek Presbyterian Church, New Carlisle. Arrangements have been entrusted to Trostel, Chapman, Dunbar & Fraley Funeral Home. Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.trostelchapman.com.