Mary Ellen Graf

Mary Ellen Graf (Mimi), 89, of Levelland, Texas passed away on September 22nd just six short days of her 90th birthday. She was born on September 28, 1933, to Della Barton and L.E. Barton.

She was married to the love of her life, Bill Graf, on December 25, 1949. Together they had two children, Steve Graf and Donna Stanley (Graf). During their 59 years together, they built and operated several successful businesses including a farming operation, gas stations, and car washes in Lubbock. Mimi wasn’t afraid of getting her hands dirty helping these businesses succeed whether it was tromping cotton or “robbing-the-bays” at the carwashes.

She loved her family, gardening, and her church, but working in her yard made her the happiest and left her lawn looking like an oasis for many years even during the harshest of droughts. Her love of family and dancing often made her the life of the party at family events throughout the years.

Mimi had the kindest of hearts listening to grand and great-grandchildren's successes and struggles often leaving each of them feeling they were the “favorite” with her words of wisdom or tough love advice. Always supportive and never wavering in her faith made many call on her with special prayer requests.

She is survived by her beloved son-in-law, Ronnie, and daughter, Donna, who she shared a special bond none of us will ever truly understand. Many were envious of their relationship which was best friends from the very beginning. Additional survivors include four grandchildren, Seth Graf (Missy), Kristen Miller (Andrew), Russ Stanley (Shonnie),  and Adrian Mellberg (Dusty); 13 great grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild on the way which she prayed continuously for. To know her was to love her and we were blessed to have been loved by her. She was our sweetest hello and our hardest goodbye.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Debbie Graf; and sister, Janelle Mosser.

A visitation will be held at 5:00 p.m. with a 6:00 p.m. rosary following both at Krestridge Funeral Home in Levelland on September 28th. A Mass ceremony will be on September 29th at 2:00 p.m. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Levelland. Interment will follow in the City of Levelland Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of the professionals at Krestridge Funeral Home.  (806) 897-1111