of Maumelle, AR

May 8, 1931 - February 25, 2025

Albert F. (Sonny) Graham, 93, passed away peacefully at his home with Betty, his wife and his two sons, Steve and Gary, by his side on February 25, 2025. Al was born May 8, 1931 in Greenville, Missouri to the late Albert and Lada Mae Graham. His faith was the foundation of his life and he has now been reunited in Heaven with his parents and his siblings, Bette Evans, Edith Baker, Jean Grant and Clyde Graham.

Al had a heart of gold and the love he had for his family was abundant. Left to treasure his memories are his loving wife of 74 years, Betty Golden Graham; devoted sons, Steve Graham (Karla) of Maumelle and Gary Graham (Beverly) of Little Rock; adoring grandchildren, Ashley Beegle (Matt), Danielle Hudspeth (Blake), Chelsea Graham (Brett) and great-grandchildren, Mae Hudspeth, Bear Hudspeth and Caleb Whitten. Al is also survived by many cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. We will all miss him terribly.

When Al was 19, he was a teacher in a one-room school with 1st-8th grades in Hiram, MO. He then started his 37-year career with Missouri Pacific Railroad in the Signal and Communications Department. His career was put on hold from 1952-1954 when he was called to serve in the 16th Battalion of the U.S. Army Signal Corp during the Korean War. His work took him to Piedmont, Pevely, St. Louis, Missouri and Red Bud, Illinois. He was given the opportunity to move to Little Rock, AR in 1960 as a Signal Foreman working on building the large North Little Rock train classification yard. He later acquired a permanent job in Little Rock as a Signal Maintainer, a job for which he excelled. He was promoted into management as the Signal Supervisor for the Arkansas District. His pride and joy was the founding of the first Signal Instruction School for the Missouri Pacific in North Little Rock in 1980 where he trained newly hired signal employees in an extensive two year training program of classroom and technical instruction. He retired on July 1, 1988 after 37 years. He was retired for 37 years, the same number of years he had worked.

Mom and dad moved from Southwest Little Rock to Benton in 1981. They lived on property acquired from his sister, Jean, which was adjacent to her and his sister, Edith's houses. Dad loved being on 1 acre of land, taking care of a larger section shared with his two sisters. He cut wood, mowed, gardened and tinkered around the place. Mom and dad had a huge ''glassed-in'' back porch that was the site for many family gatherings. He was the big brother to Jean and little brother to Edith that oversaw their needs after each had lost husbands. He loved his two sisters being so near.

Dad loved to fish. He had two favorite fishing buddies in Jim Ramsey and Doug Wrye. He spent many hours with Jim on DeGray, Ouachita, Nimrod and Lake Conway catching crappie and bass. He and Doug fished exclusively on Hurricane Lake. Then, there was the many, many times that his son, Steve and he had the opportunity to sit for hours in the boat together. Steve was working, so he would wait to take a day off until his dad had scoped out the fishing report. No finer days than a day fishing with dad.

Time with family was something dad cherished. When we'd visit, he would give you a huge smile and the biggest hug. Everyone loved going to Grandma and Grandpa's house! When Ashley, Danielle and Chelsea were young, dad would dress up like Santa Claus on Christmas Eve and peek in the window to surprise them. Much to dad's amusement, the girls would react with squeals of delight and laughter! There were Easter egg hunts, tree climbing, doll playing and Pippi Longstocking movies when the girls came to visit. As ''Grandpa's Girls'' got older, he taught them to drive in the large pasture behind their house where he had mowed ''roads and intersections'' where they could practice.

But most precious to dad was our mom. He truly loved and cherished her. He made sure she was loved, provided for and protected. Mom reciprocated with respect and love for dad always building him up. He demonstrated the way his boys should treat our families by modeling a good husband and father.

Dad had a beautiful soul and always let you know that he loved you and God loves you. He was a faithful follower of Jesus Christ and his life was a testament to that faith. He and mom were members of Sharon Missionary Baptist Church in Benton for over 30 years and then joined First Baptist Church after their move to Maumelle 5 years ago. Dad was a testament to the work of Christ in and around our lives. In great ways, his example taught us faith, hope and love, with the greatest of these being love. It was by his speech, but mostly by his actions that we found his God to be our God. He disciplined us in love, took us to church, showed us in an earthly father, aspects of a heavenly one, modeled kindness, taught us honesty and was a picture of a servant leader. He may not have received in this life the praise of kings. No great author wrote his story. But, there is an ultimate King that greeted him with ''well done good and faithful servant''. His story has been written on the lives of his children, his children's children and generations to come.
The last 6 months have been difficult. Dad contracted COVID in September, was in the hospital with double pneumonia for 5 days. He really never was able to recover. We visited PCP's, cardiologist, pulmonologist, gastroenterologist, physical therapist, speech therapist in an effort to get him back to health. The Lord orders our days, dad's days of 93 years were complete. He had great care from our sweet mother, by his side all through the process. She was a rock through it all! We also want to thank Arkansas Hospice, particularly, Michelle, Morgan and Ty for their tender care of dad during his last weeks.

Gary and Steve had the privilege of speaking a ''tribute'' to mom and dad on the occasion of their 50th wedding anniversary. We think it appropriate to share these last comments we spoke to dad on that day:

Gary:
Dad, you have taught me so many valuable lessons about life. You've coached teams, played catch (even when you were tired), gone fishing (even though Mom was better), taught me to drive (Ashley as well, thanks) and so many other things. But if I were to summarize all your example has been for me, one word comes to mind respect. Many books and authors have theorized how to teach children respect. Dad you taught me respect by showing respect for God, Mom, family, other people and your work. You taught me the value of a good day's work and giving your all in whatever you do which leads to respect for yourself.

Steve:
Dad, I am who I am because of you. Your influence has been and continues to be, very powerful in my life. You have modeled for me the value of hard work, the character of honesty and taught me many practical skills for living. You have allowed me the freedom to try and fail. You've let me be with you. I've been side by side with Grandpa and you while working on cars or mowing yards or fixing up the house. We've cut wood together and built houses together. No finer a day can I have than a day fishing or fixing with you. Thank you for loving and cherishing my mother. Most importantly, thank you for introducing me to the most important person of all, Jesus Christ. You are a man's man. I love you, dad.

Following a private burial at Pinecrest Memorial Park, a Visitation will be held on March 3rd at 12:30pm and the Memorial Service will begin at 1:30pm at Roller-Owens Funeral Home, 5509 JFK Blvd, North Little Rock, AR. Dress for the service is casual. To view the full obituary and sign the online Guest Book go to www.RollerFuneralHomes.com.

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