Feb. 13, 1925 – May 22, 2026
Port Royal
Ellen Bertha Goethe Graves, 101, widow of Harold L. Graves, Sr., of Beaufort, S.C., died Friday, May 22, 2026 in Sprenger Healthcare of Port Royal, S.C.
Funeral services were held on Friday, May 29, 2026 at The Baptist Church of Beaufort with burial in the churchyard. Reception followed in the Green Room at the church.
Mrs. Graves was born on Feb. 13, 1925 in Bluffton, S,C. She was the youngest daughter of 13 children, to the late Horace Edward Goethe and Martha Beverly Goethe.
She worked for United Telephone Company for three years before getting married on Dec. 21, 1945, and began her affiliation with the Baptist Church of Beaufort in 1955. Bertha served in many volunteer roles for the BCoB including summer migrant programs, Bible school, schools for special children, Wednesday night dinners, and she was in charge of the nursery up to the 5-year-olds for many years.
Bertha was also a long time volunteer for Help of Beaufort.
Surviving is one son, Harold “Lefton” Graves, Jr., one daughter, Gloria G. Williams ( Tommy Gay); three grandchildren: Kristie Graves Lewis (Keith), Lori Graves, and Shannon W. Shetrone (Michael); five great grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a daughter, Dorothy Lois Graves, and all of her 12 siblings.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Baptist Church of Beaufort.