Dr. Charles Edward Graham, 85, a native of Jackson and a resident of Fairhope, died Saturday, Aug. 30, 2008 at a local hospital.
He received his A.B. degree from Samford University, B.D. and Doctorate of Theology from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as mission pastor of a church in South Louisiana while a student at the seminary. He later served as pastor of four Alabama Baptist churches: Wagarville, Eutaw, Elba First Baptist, and Greenville First Baptist. In 1977, he returned to New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary where he served as a professor of Old Testament until his retirement in 1989. After his retirement to Fairhope, he remained deeply involved in Christian service activities, including teaching a large Sunday School class at Fairhope First Baptist Church, serving in an interim pastor capacity for several South Alabama churches, and serving in several leadership roles in relation to Camp Baldwin Baptist Camp.
Survivors include his wife, Carolyn Graham of Fairhope; son, Ralph (Joanna) Graham of Macomb, Ill.; sister, Betty (C.V.) Quinley of Jackson; and two grandsons, Andrew and Zachary Graham.
Visitation begins at 10 a.m. with funeral services at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 4 at First Baptist Church Fairhope. Interment will follow at Memory Gardens of Fairhope.
The family requests memorial donations be made to First Baptist Church Fairhope or Camp Baldwin, Elberta.
Arrangements are by Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Homes & Crematory Inc., Fairhope.
