Veronica Ruth Shafer "Ronnie" Graves

Veronica Ruth Schafer "Ronnie" Graves, 94, of Rogers, Ark., died Thursday, Sept. 12, 2013, at her home in the loving arms of her family and caretakers. She was born Jan. 7, 1919, in Stuttgart, Ark., to Robert William Schafer and Alice Pearl Warburton, where she grew up with her five siblings. Ronnie graduated from Stuttgart High School in 1936. On Aug. 31, 1940, Ronnie married William "Lester" Graves. Lester later became a decorated WWII veteran. After his four year tour of duty, Lester rejoined Ronnie and was elated to finally meet his young daughter, Rebecca Jo Graves. Ronnie and Lester were later blessed with their second child, William Shafer Graves. While Lester was away at war, Ronnie worked as a Beauty Operator in Stuttgart. In 1956, Ronnie was selected Mrs. Arkansas in final competition with several other homemakers from all sections of Arkansas. As her first official public appearance, Ronnie opened the dynamic Little Rock Home Show. The Arkansas Louisiana Gas Company was proud to sponsor Ronnie in the Mrs. America contest later held in Florida. In the late 1960s Ronnie was a contestant on the popular game show "Hollywood Squares" where she won the grand prize which included a boat, a fur coat, a television and cash. In 1970 Ronnie and Lester moved to Rogers, Ark., where they began Graves Real Estate Company. After Lester's death, Ronnie worked as an agent at Jim Campbell Reality and later joined the Lindsey Real Estate team, where she became an Associate Broker, obtained her GRI Certificate, became a member of the Million Dollar Club, a member of the Rogers Board of Realtors and a member of the Women's Council of Real Estate. Ronnie was known to be a beautiful, poised and accomplished woman, with a sharp wit and a playful nature. She loved to dance and was an avid bridge player, earning her Life Master Certificate. Ronnie was very social and enjoyed the company of her family and friends. She was an active lifelong member of the Beta Sigma Phi sorority. Ronnie was a devout Catholic and a member of the St. Vincent de Paul congregation in Rogers, Arkansas. She contributed to her church in many ways, including her prison ministry work at the Women's' Correctional facility in Pine Bluff, Ark. She was preceded in death by her husband William "Lester" Graves (June 12, 1981); son, William Schafer Graves (Jan. 14, 1978); daughter, Rebecca Graves Trammel (Jan. 1, 2006) and her siblings, Jo Loveless, Elizabeth Rich, Fran Moncrief and Alice Jane Holbert. Ronnie is survived by her two granddaughters, Leslie Mary Meeker and Katie Meeker Buccolier and husband, Dino; three great-grandchildren, Matteo, Marco and Fransesca Buccolier, of Rogers; and one brother, William Schafer of Stuttgart. Visitation will be Monday, Sept. 16, 2013, at 5 with a Rosary beginning at 7 p.m. at Stockdale-Moody Funeral Chapel in Rogers. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2013, at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Rogers conducted by the Monsignor David LeSieur. Burial will be at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2013, at Holy Rosary Cemetery in Stuttgart, Ark., with Father Phillip Reaves officiating. Memorials may be made in honor of Ronnie Graves to The American Diabetes Association, 1730 S.E. Moberly Lane, Bentonville, AR 72712. Special thanks to Teri Vollard, Heather Tuck, Carol Anne Tuck, Mary Hurtig, Dick and Nancy Trammel, Bill and Jocelyne Meeker, Sees Candy, Elizabeth Valenzuela, Brent Garner, Jennie Younkin, St. Vincent de Paul Church and Patient's Choice Hospice. Arrangements have been entrusted to Stockdale-Moody Funeral Services of Rogers. Words of comfort or memories may be shared at stockdalefuneral.com.