Funeral services for Mr. K. Maxwell Graves Jr., 82, of Meadville, MS, will be on Wednesday, February 27, 2019, at Bude United Methodist Church in Bude, Mississippi, at 11:00 AM, with burial to follow in the Roxie City Cemetery in Roxie, MS. Hollis McGehee will be officiating the services, with Franklin Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will be at Franklin Funeral Home on Tuesday, February 26, 2019 from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM and resume on Wednesday, February 27, 2019 from 10:00 AM until time of service at 11:00 A.M.

Mr. Graves passed from this life on Saturday, February 23, 2019, at Kings Daughters Hospital in Brookhaven, MS. He was born on February 12, 1937, in Roxie, MS, to Mr. Kirby Maxwell Graves, Sr. and Mrs. April Pauline Donnell Graves.

Max Graves enjoyed living and being a part of the community of Franklin County. He spent some of his happiest moments with his family and friends, story-telling, writing, and watching Ole Miss sports. He dedicated his life to justice for all, working diligently to serve the community. His love of the past made him a wonderful historian, and his love of his fellow man made him willing to share his knowledge of the law, history, and his wisdom with all who asked. He was loved by many and aided even more as they sought his wise counsel.

The achievements of Max Graves are numerous and include being honored for his service with the Lifetime Achievement Recipient (2014) from Franklin County.

Max graduated from the University of Mississippi with a Juris Doctorate in 1960-61. Soon after graduating, he returned to his home, Franklin County, where he began his law practice and continued to practice law for well over fifty years, until his death. He has served Franklin County in many capacities including being Franklin County's first Civil Defense Director; Youth Court Prosecutor and Youth Court Public Defender; Charter member and repeat Chairman of the Southwest MS Mental Health Commission for thirty years; instrumental in the acquisition of lands for the Dixie Youth Baseball; twice served as the Chairman of the Franklin County Democratic Executive Committee; Board Attorney for the Franklin County School Board; Board Attorney for the Town of Roxie; Staff Attorney to Governor Finch where he aided with the first Child Support Collection Unit.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Kirby Maxwell Graves, Sr. and Mrs. April Pauline Donnell Graves.

Survivors are his wife of 26 years, Barbara Graves; sons, John M. Graves and wife Barbara of Garland, TX; Michael K. Graves and wife Stacey of Hernando, MS; daughter, Karen Graves-Posey and husband Ken Posey of Meadville, MS; and 6 grandchildren; step daughter, Susanne Spartano of Dallas, TX and step son, Patrick Rhodes of Honolulu, Hawaii, with 3 grandchildren and 1 great granddaughter.

Pallbearers are Bill Halford, Will Halford, Bart Jones, Willie Lewis, James Newman, and Rich Scott.

Honorary pallbearers are Johnny Graves, Mike Graves, Brandon Hollingsworth, Micah Graves,  Joseph Hollingsworth, Garette Graves, and Ken Posey.

The family request memorials be made in his name to The Franklin County Public Library, The Franklin County Museum, or Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project, www.mvlp.org ,  601-960-9577