Thomas Alby Graves

Thomas Alby Graves, 85, passed away Monday, January 10, 2022 due to complications of his decades long battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Tom grew up in Biloxi, was an enthusiastic participant in the Boy Scouts, and enjoyed playing clarinet at Biloxi High School and Tulane University. After graduating from Tulane Medical School, Dr. Graves practiced Otolaryngology and Facial Reconstructive Surgery in Lafayette, Louisiana for eighteen years. With his wife, Earline Daniels Graves (of Gulfport, MS) they raised four children there.

Throughout his distinguished career in medicine, he continued interacting with Tulane Medical School. In particular, he enjoyed teaching and mentoring young doctors, helping them with their internships and their career paths.

After Earline developed cancer, the couple returned to the Mississippi Gulf Coast in 1984 where he joined the medical practice of Dr. Buddy Dodson. In 1999 Earline lost her long battle with breast cancer and was laid to rest in Floral Hills Memorial Gardens in Gulfport.

Tom loved tennis and spent many decades competing in men’s doubles matches and later with his second wife, Patricia Cousins Weatherly, mixed doubles. Although he had to stop playing a few years ago, he continued to follow the sport and was an avid spectator. As a proud alumnus, he was a steadfast fan and booster of all things Tulane – especially sports and the band.

A strong believer in contributing to one’s community, he continued the legacy of his father, Dr. J. A. Graves, as a stalwart sponsor of the Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra. Tom had a long list of favorite charitable and community organizations which he supported, including other musical organizations, churches, medical charities, and groups protecting our natural resources.

His enduring faith was enriched by two church families - Westminster Presbyterian Church in Gulfport and First Presbyterian Church in Highlands, NC where he served in several capacities.

He is survived by his sister and his brother’s wife and their families, his four children and their families, and his wife Tricia, her five children and their families.

A private family graveside service was held Tuesday, February 1, 2022 at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens in Gulfport, MS. Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport is honored to serve the Graves family. The family prefers donations to the following organizations in lieu of flowers. American Parkinson Disease Association 135 Parkinson Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10305 Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra 11975 Seaway Rd, Suite B-233, Gulfport, MS 39503 Westminster Presbyterian Church 5005 Lawson Avenue, Gulfport, MS 39507.