Amaryllis "Mickey" Virginia Petty Graves went to be with our Lord Saturday, October 10, 2020.

A graveside service will be at 10:30 am on Saturday, October 17, 2020, at Mt. Zion Baptist Church Cemetery, Columbus, MS, longtime friend Bro. Harold Robinson officiating and Lowndes Funeral Home, Columbus, MS is directing.

Mickey, as she was lovingly known, was born on December 30, 1927, in Oktibbeha County, MS to the late Lee and Roxie White Petty. She married the late M. C. Graves on May 24, 1947, and together they raised four sons in Columbus, MS. The Graves were charter members of Wesley Methodist Church in Columbus, MS. Mickey worked alongside her husband in the Graves Seed Laboratory for 40 plus years. In addition to working with her husband and raising four sons, Mickey enjoyed spending time in her kitchen. She was a great cook and would can and freeze vegetables from Graves' garden each year. She shared with her daughter-in-laws the art of canning, freezing, and making jelly.  The family story was she could cut a pie into 6 of the most even slices. Pies were made nearly every day and on holidays we were often blessed with another favorite, coconut cake. Mickey loved her husband and sons beyond measure. They loved and spoiled her in return. She took great delight in all of her 9 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. We take comfort that she is in heaven and will forever be grateful for the memories we cherish. In addition to her parents, Mickey is preceded in death by her loving husband of almost 70 years, M. C. Graves, her sisters, Orine (Rine) Petty Critz, Maudine (Sister) Petty Smith, and brothers, Lee (Bug) Petty, Jr., LC Petty, and  Erman (Son) Petty.

Mickey is survived by her sons, Carl (Melinda) Graves of Jackson, Rodney (Claudia) Graves, and Rick (Derinda) Graves of Columbus, MS, and Joe (Lisa) Graves of Millport, AL. Grandchildren: Karen (Dwayne) Stewart, Chris (Tanya) Graves, Marc (Deanna) Graves, Jodi (Doug) Stone, Mary Evelyn (Jason) Breland, Sarah (Mark) Crigler, Kathy Graves, Joe (Kelsey) Graves, and Rebecca Graves.

Our family would like to thank Trinity Nursing Home for taking such loving care of our Mickey.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Palmer Home for Children, P.O. Box 746, Columbus, MS 39703.