Robert Lee "Bob" Graham, 82, of Franklin, Tennessee, (formerly of Charleston, Missouri), died
on January 19, 2024, with his two daughters, Missy and Robin, beside him at Williamson
County Medical Center in Franklin, TN.

Bob was born on July 2, 1941, in Blodgett, Missouri, to the late Robert Clinton Graham and
Freda Barnes Graham. In 1945, the family moved to Charleston, Missouri, where Bob, along
with his siblings Honey and Tom, grew up, attended church and school, and enjoyed being with
family and many friends.

After graduating from Charleston High School, Bob attended William Jewell College in
Liberty, Missouri, until he got the mumps and then attended Murray State University in Murray,
Kentucky, for one semester. Realizing that it was not the best fit for him, he convinced his
father into letting him enroll at Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee, Oklahoma, where he
met his future wife, Meekee Morgan, and later graduated in 1964. Bob and Meekee got married
on June 26, 1965, and later had their first daughter, Melissa, and a few years after that their
second daughter, Robin.

Bob continued his education and earned a Specialist Degree in Education from Southeast
Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. His career of 31 years in education
included serving as a Charleston High School history teacher, a junior high school counselor
and coach, principal of Hearnes Elementary School, and Assistant Superintendent of Charleston
R-1 School District. Bob was known as an advocate for the teachers and staff, and he instituted
policies that focused on making the educational environment conducive to learning, particularly
at the elementary school level. He was instrumental in starting and developing the gifted
children's program known as HY-PO, the first program of its kind in Southeast Missouri. Bob
was a great servant leader and administrator to all the teachers and staff throughout the school
district - including principals, teachers, aides, secretaries, nurses, maintenance personnel,
janitors, bus drivers, kitchen employees, and repairmen. These were his people, these were his
friends, and those who knew him, knew that about him.

After his retirement from the school district, Bob focused on farming his land in Mounds,
Illinois. He loved having more time to play golf with his friends at the Charleston Country
Club, playing cards and going on many golf trips to Florida with those friends, going on trips
with his family, and later spending time with his grandchildren. He lived in Charleston most of
his life until 2017 when he and Meekee moved to Franklin, Tennessee, to be near their two
daughters and four grandchildren.

Bob was a member of the First Baptist Church of Charleston his entire life where he served as
deacon and Sunday School teacher. Other areas of service during his lifetime included the
Charleston Kiwanis Club, President of the Charleston Country Club, and co-coordinator of the
Dogwood-Azalea Festival with cousin Eddie Graham. Bob was a great man of faith who
demonstrated the love of Jesus through actions rather than words. He was beloved by so many
who knew him and will forever be missed.

Bob is survived by his wife, Meekee Morgan Graham, daughter Melissa Graham Reynolds and
her husband Bill Reynolds of Brentwood, TN; daughter Robin Graham Cooke and her husband
Steven Cooke of Franklin, TN; and four grandchildren, Daniel Reynolds, Emma Reynolds,
Morgan Cooke, and Davis Cooke.

Other survivors include his brother Tom Graham and sister-in-law Melissa Graham;
nephews Neel Owens, Clinton (Tabatha) Graham, and Charles (Lindsey) Graham, plus great
nieces and nephews Karsyn Graham, Griffin Graham, Kane Thurman, and Ayleigh Thurman.

He is preceded in death by his parents Robert and Freda Graham, sister Ellen "Honey" Graham
Owens and her husband Bill Owens, brother-in-law Mike Morgan, cousin Eddie Graham, and
his beloved Jack Russell dog "Daisy".

Visitation will be held at the First Baptist Church, 301 S. Main Street, Charleston, Missouri, on Friday, January 26, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The Funeral service will be held at the First Baptist Church on Saturday, January 27, 2024, at 2:00 p.m.

Interment to follow at the I.O.O.F Cemetery in Charleston.

Pallbearers include Neel Owens, Clinton Graham, Charles Graham, Ryan Britton, Bill
Reynolds, Daniel Reynolds, Steven Cooke, and Davis Cooke.

Honorary Pallbearers and Lifelong Friends: Glennon McFadden, Larry Williams, and Gary
Howard.

Memorial contributions may be given to the First Baptist Church, PO Box 442, Charleston, MO 63834

McMikle Funeral Home of Charleston is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com