Myrtle Elizabeth Wells Graves
Wenatchee, Washington
December 23, 2007

We lost our beloved Mother, Grandmother, Great-grandmother and Great-great-grandmother on December 23, 2007. Myrtle passed away peacefully in her sleep. She was a true pioneer of the Okanogan/Omak area. Her mother, father and grandmother came by way of covered wagon and train from North Carolina to Okanogan in the year 1889. Myrtle was born March 23, 1913, in Okanogan, WA, to Mary Magdeline Bolin Wells and Augustus Irwin Wells. She lost her father when she was only four years old. Her two older brothers, by that time, were grown young men, so it was just Myrtle and her mother against the world during her growing up years. She graduated from Okanogan High School in 1931 and met Roy E. Graves (her future husband) in 1932. They were married in 1933, and in 1934, they had a son, Kenneth E. Graves.

Besides her husband, children and grandchildren, Myrtle enjoyed camping (she and Roy belonged to the Cariboo Trail RV Club), sewing, gardening and time spent at the cabins at Lake Conconully that she and Roy built. Myrtle was her happiest spending time at the cabin and especially loved it when her friends and family would stop by for a visit and coffee. Myrtle held many jobs starting with apple packing (for B&O Orchards), working at Rawson's in Okanogan, Marv's Shoes in Omak and working in the Okanogan County Auditor's Office. She belonged to the Senior Center in Omak and was a member of the Okanogan Baptist Church. She lived 84 years in the Okanogan/Omak area until 1997 when she moved to Colonial Vista in Wenatchee.

Preceding her in death were her father and her beloved mother; her husband, Roy E. Graves; and her two brothers, Jeter Wells and William Wells. Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Kenneth E. and Warrene Graves, of Wenatchee; her grandchildren, Jeffrey (Cathy) Graves of Seattle, and Suzanne (Matt) Snyder of Olympia. She leaves four great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson.

At her request, there will be no services at this time. In lieu of flowers, it is suggested a memorial in her name be made to the American Heart Association or the First Baptist Church of Okanogan. The family wishes to thank the excellent staff at Colonial Vista for being constant friends and helpers during the last years of her life.