of Little Rock, AR

April 18, 1942 - April 25, 2025

Sue Ann Graves of Little Rock, Arkansas, died Friday, April 25th, 2025, in her home. She was born in Hope, Arkansas, on April 18, 1942, to Royce Lane Smith and Marjorie Higgason Smith and grew up in the warm community that shaped her generous spirit. She had one sister, Dorothy Willey, whom she dearly loved and remained thick-as-thieves with until her last breath.

Sue Ann graduated from Hope High School in 1960 and then earned her Education degree from Ouachita Baptist University in 1963. That same year, she married her childhood sweetheart and love of her life, John Robert Graves, on August 15th. She taught high school English while John Robert was in law school, then embraced her dream roles of attorney's wife and devoted mother.

She was mom to her two daughters, Beth Graves Snider (Steve) and Heidi Graves Schmidly (Shannon). She was Nonnie to her five grandchildren, Jack (Hope), Chase (Elizabeth), Parker (Hunter), Shelby (Grant), and Graves (Hannah), and her seven great-grandchildren, Ace, Rivi, Scotty, Susie (named lovingly after her), Jones, Jude, and Bo. She was her family's biggest fan and greatest supporter, lighting up whenever they were near.

Nobody in the world enjoyed a beautiful sunset more than Sue Ann. She loved soaking in every minute of them, especially the after-show when the sun was gone but its glow continued to light up the sky. Her happy places were being on the houseboat at Lake Ouachita with as much family as could squeeze onto the boat, travelling anywhere, but especially escaping to paradise in Hawaii with John Robert for their annual retreats to play golf, go on long walks along the Wailea coast and watch the sun set over the Pacific.

Sue Ann's home had a revolving door, always open and filled with love and stories. She was as positive about life as any person could be, even during her 18-year long and brave battle with Parkinson's disease. Little in stature but mighty in spirit, she found joy in the small things and loved to laugh about anything. She was a loyal and optimistic Arkansas Razorback fan to the end, picking the Hogs to win March Madness every season.

She had a quiet but steadfast faith in her Lord Jesus Christ and lived out what He modeled and called her to do by loving every single person in her path. It didn't matter who they were, where they were from, or how different they were from her-she loved and cared for them all. It only took a few minutes with Sue Ann to know that she carried the peace of Christ in her heart.

In a college paper her senior year, Sue Ann wrote: "One of my deepest wishes is that when my life draws to an end, I will be able to say that I have lived a good life, that I have given of myself to others and received from others to add to my own life also, and that my Creator has been pleased with what I have done with what He has given me." Sue Ann, you can certainly say every one of those things about the way you lived your life.

Sue Ann was preceded in death by her parents Royce and Margie Smith. She is survived by her husband, John Robert Graves, her sister, Dorothy Willey (Ted), sister-in-law Ginanne Graves Long, daughters Beth Graves Snider (Steve) and Heidi Graves Schmidly (Shannon), five grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and many other family members and friends who will forever cherish her memory.

Arrangements are entrusted to Roller-Chenal Funeral Home in Little Rock, Arkansas. Much love and thanks to Debbie, Brittney, Val, and Amanda for being special people who loved and served her so well during her illness. A visitation will be held in the chapel at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home on Wednesday, May 7th at 1:00 pm, followed by a memorial service at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Arkansas Children's Hospital or UAMS Foundation, Parkinson Division.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Chenal Funeral Home
13801 Chenal Parkway
Little Rock, AR  72211
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com