Father Edwin Graves, 84, died Oct. 6

Published: October 7, 2025

"With faith in eternal life, it is my solemn duty to announce that Father Clarence Edwin 'Ed' Graves died today, Oct. 6, 2025, at St. Vincent Hospital in Little Rock. Father Graves became a senior priest in 2011. He remained very active in 'retirement' painting, writing and helping in parishes when needed. Funeral arrangements are pending and will be made available once they are finalized," wrote Father Gregory Luyet, judicial vicar, in a statement about the death of Father Graves.

The following obituary is courtesy of Arkansas Catholic.

Father Clarence “Ed” Edwin Graves, a diocesan priest for 33 years who was known for his love of art and music, died Oct. 6 in Little Rock. He was 84.

Father Graves was born on Jan. 2, 1941, in Birmingham, Ala., to Clarence and Frances Graves. He had one sister, Judy Finley. He grew up in Jacksonville, Fla., before his family moved to Memphis. He earned a bachelor of fine arts in painting from the Memphis College of Arts and a master of fine arts in painting from the University of Mississippi in Oxford.

His discernment of a vocation to the priesthood was nurtured in his family, attending Mass and praying the rosary. While in high school, he attended a retreat at the Trappist Monastery in Conyers, Ga. While in college, he sensed a call to the monastic life as a Camaldolese monk in Big Sur, Calif.

Desiring a more active ministry, he left the monastic life to complete his education in painting. For 13 years, he worked as a commercial artist.

Father Graves began his formation for the priesthood for the Diocese of Little Rock, attending Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans. He was ordained a priest on June 20, 1992, at the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Little Rock by Bishop Andrew J. McDonald.

After his ordination, his first assignment was as associate pastor of St. Theresa Parish in Little Rock for two years. He served as pastor of St. Louis Parish in Camden, Immaculate Heart of Mary in Magnolia, St. Andrew in Marianna, St. Francis of Assisi in Forest City, St. Peter in Wynne and St. Mary in McCrory. He cared for the sacramental needs of the inmates at the federal prison in Forrest City while serving as a pastor in Eastern Arkansas.

Throughout his ministry as a priest, Father Graves actively participated in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in Arkansas.

In 2011, Father Graves retired to St. John Manor in Little Rock, where he remained until his death. During the year as a senior priest, Father Graves produced a musical CD, painted and wrote. He continued to minister through helping out in parishes as long as he was able and offering Mass for the Missionaries of Charity.

Throughout his ministry, Father Graves shared his love for music, especially the songs of Elvis Presley. He would bring out his guitar while preaching or visiting sacramental preparation classes, sometimes as his alter ego, “Elvis Priestly.”

In 2017 he told Arkansas Catholic, “I always felt like Elvis had a childlike spirit, a youthful spirit,” adding he saw him five times in concert and met him briefly outside of Graceland. 

He is survived by his niece, Sonya Chamberlin of Memphis.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 17 at Holy Spirit Church, 2300 Hickory Crest Drive, Memphis, TN. The viewing will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Following the Mass, Father Graves will be interred at Memorial Park Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Avenue, Memphis.

Bishop Anthony B. Taylor will celebrate a Memorial Mass in St. John Catholic Center Morris Chapel in Little Rock at noon, Wednesday, Oct. 22.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord. And let the perpetual light shine upon him. And may he and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.