Danny Joe Graves, age 69, of Benton, Missouri, passed away Thursday April 20, 2023, at his home surrounded by family.

He was born January 19, 1954, in Würzburg, Germany to the late Patrick Hurst Graves and Sarah Elizabeth Shirley Graves. Danny grew up and spent most of his life in DeRidder, Louisiana.

On August 10, 1974, in DeRidder, he married his high school sweetheart and loving wife, Marilyn Chitty Graves who survives of the home.

Danny worked for 39 years and 9 months before retiring as an Industrial Electrician for Lyondell Basell in Lake Charles, Louisiana. He enjoyed gardening, wood working, and having breakfast with his coffee crew at the Huddle House. He was a past member of the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in DeRidder, LA and a current member of Christ Church in Cape Girardeau.

More than anything, Danny loved and enjoyed his family. He loved spending time with all his grandchildren. Danny was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend.

Danny is survived by his wife; one daughter, Twila Delane (Rex) Wascom of Mount Hermon, LA; one son, Adam Daniel (Bethany) Graves of Benton, MO; four brothers, Patrick (Diane) Graves of Pineville, LA, Mike (Linda) Graves of DeRidder, LA, Tim Graves (Caroline) of DeRidder, LA, John (Darlyne) Graves of Walker, LA; four grandchildren, Coy (Kelsey) Reeves of DeRidder, LA, Laney Streets of DeRidder, LA, Landon Graves of Benton, MO, Shaelee Graves of Benton, MO; three step-grandchildren, Amanda (Harold) Campbell of Mount Hermon, LA, Buddy (Madison) Wascom, of Mount Hermon, LA, Colton (Courtney) Wascom of Mount Hermon, LA; two great grandchildren, Luke and Henry Reeves; five step-great-grandchildren, Chloie Maricle, Declan Campbell, Luke Campbell, Clayton Wascom, Ivey Wascom, and soon to come, Cohen Wascom; three brothers and sisters-in-law, Craig (Zhenya) Chitty of DeRidder, LA, Carolyn Chitty and Brian Melancon, Sulphur, LA, Sharolyn (Dr. Jim) Chitty-Rudd of DeRidder, LA; bonus children and grandchildren, Jonathan (Rachel) McNeely and their children Vivian and Dutch.

Visitation will be held Friday, April 28, 2023, beginning at 11 a.m. until time of service at 2 p.m. at Ponder Funeral Home.

Interment will follow at Unity Baptist Church Cemetery in Benton, Missouri under the direction of Ponder Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Coy Reeves, Landon Graves, Jonathan McNeely, Larry Hagan, Wayne Streets, and Van Ferguson.

Honorary pallbearers are Troy Striedel and Kalen Striedel.