They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount upon the wings of an eagle. Oh yes. They shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Teach me Lord how to wait. Rev. James Junior Graves departed this life on Sunday, July 12, 2015 at the Hospice House in Charlottesville, Virginia. He was born on May 30, 1937 to the late Henry and Rosie Price Graves. He was preceded in death by a son, Donald Lee and a granddaughter, Angel Tilia Graves. Rev. Graves joined County Line Baptist Church at the age of eleven. Later he moved his name to Zion Travelers Baptist Church to be with his family. He sang on the senior choir, served on the deacon board, attended bible study and Sunday school faithfully. In 1989, he preached his trial sermon at Zion Travelers Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Hezekiah James. He traveled up and down the highway spreading the gospel. In January 1998, Rev. Graves was installed as pastor of Thessalonian Baptist Church, Mineral, Virginia. Under his leadership a new church was built. He served as their pastor for fifteen years., Rev. Graves loved the Lord, his family and both church families. He did not know a stranger. That smile of his was contagious. Rev. Graves leaves to cherish his wonderful memories, his wife of 57 years, Naomi; four daughters, Eunice Doris, Darlene/Lynn (Tim) and Yulanda/Diane Desper; two sons, James (Christine) and Lawrence (Patty); nine grandchildren, Tiffany, Lawrence/Tony, Phillip, Joshua, Isiah, Elijah, Jada, Tajh and Tamarah; one loving, devoted, & caring aunt/mother, Annie Price; one sister, Margaret Scales (Sam); three sisters-in-law, Viola Whalen, Janette Harris and Irene Harris; three brothers-in-law, Rev. Samuel Scales, James Floyd Harris and John Harris; one son-in-law, Lawrence Desper (Skeeter); one daughter-in-law, Christine Graves and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. The family will received friends on Wednesday, July 15, 2015 from 5-7 p.m. at Thessalonian Baptist Church, 278 Old Country Road, Mineral, VA 23117. Funeral services will be held at noon on Thursday, July 16, 2015 at Zion Travelers Baptist Church, 3662 Roundabout Road, Louisa, VA with Rev. Austin Bates officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.