Charles Harold “Tally” McGraw, 88, died on April 24, 2014, at Hospice Ministries in Ridgeland, MS. Visitation will be on Sunday, April 27, 2014, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Wright and Ferguson Funeral Home, Highland Colony Parkway, Ridgeland, and the funeral service will be held on Monday, April 28, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 4000 W. Tidewater Lane, Madison, MS. There will also be a one hour visitation prior to the service at St. Francis. Interment will follow at Parkway Memorial Cemetery, Ridgeland Ms.
Tally McGraw was born on August 31, 1925 in Yazoo City, Mississippi. He attended St. Clara Academy and graduated from Yazoo City High School, where he was the state lightweight boxing champion and also played football. He attended Mississippi State University where he pledged Pi Kappa Alpha. Mr. McGraw also served in the United States Air Force. He was successful in the heavy equipment sales business for many years, first with Mississippi Road Supply and then with Allied Equipment, Inc. He also farmed in Yazoo County with his sons, and then founded McGraw Rental and Supply in Ridgeland, MS. Tally was still a fixture at the Ridgeland store and enjoyed holding court in his office and spinning tales to all of his many friends who would stop by. He enjoyed many years of flying and owned several aircraft during his lifetime. He loved to tell the story about the time he had to make an emergency landing in a cotton field in the delta and didn’t put a mark on the cotton.
Tally McGraw also loved Mississippi State University and enjoyed traveling in his motorhome with the Rolling Bulldogs to all the football and baseball games. Those were the best times of his life. Tally McGraw could fill up a room with his grin and hearty laugh. He used to tell people that he learned to whisper in a saw mill. He never met a stranger and would introduce himself as “ole Tally McGraw”. Tally was a devout Catholic who lived his life with integrity, compassion, generosity and humility. He constantly reminded his children and grandchildren to always tell the truth so that you won’t have to remember what you said.
Most of all, Tally loved God, his family and his friends. He is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, constant companion, and his “pride and joy”, Peggy Brent McGraw, his daughters Cindy and Ellen, and sons, Chuck and Richard. He was lovingly known as Papa to his seven grandchildren, whom he adored, Morgan McGraw Chaney, Hannah Claire McGraw, John Richard McGraw, Jr., Brent Chaney, Charles McGraw, Connor McGraw and Rivers McGraw. He is also survived by his sister, Marie McGraw May, of Vicksburg, MS. He was predeceased by his parents, James A. “Jim” McGraw and Clementine Nolan McGraw, his older brother, James A. “Jimmy” McGraw, Jr., his dear sisters Margaret McGraw Norman and Jeanne McGraw Barrier, nieces Nell Barrier King, Jere Barrier, Nancy Norman Russell, Peggy Norman Fisher, and nephew, Tommy Norman, Jr. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews, James A. McGraw, III of Los Angeles, CA, Harris Carr “Brother” McGraw of Yazoo City, Jeannie Barrier of Madison, Angie Barrier Pradat of Huntsville, Alabama, Marianne May Jones of Vicksburg and Margaret May Killebrew of Memphis, TN, as well as numerous great-nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to Blair E. Batson Children’s Hospital, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, The Salvation Army, Mississippi State University, or a children’s charity of your choice.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
6 Entries
April 28, 2014
To ALL the FAMILY: As a child I can remember Mr. McGraw coming to Vicksburg, Ms. to see my dad, Travis T. Vance, Sr. Mr. McGraw would come on site where we were constructing a road to check with dad about some additional equipment. Mr. McGraw would always go out of his way to speak.As a little boy and youngest son, I was impressed. My Love for Mr. McGraw will always be remembered. My Prayers will be with you "ALL".
Travis Wayne Vance, Sr.
3038 Indiana Avenue
Vicksburg, Ms. 39180
April 26, 2014
Loretta Cleveland
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.My favorite memories of you were those babysitting experiences with those sweet children..
Love, Loretta Lehman Cleveland
April 25, 2014
Jayne Herrington
Peggy and family, my thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. I enjoyed every minute that I worked at McGraw Rental and I know how much Mr. McGraw cared for his employees. He was a good man and his generosity was a witness to those who knew how much he gave to others. I've thought of you all many times and I will treasure the memories of my first job. May God be with you in your sadness and comfort you in your loss.
April 25, 2014
No greater friend - no greater person See ya', Tally--soon.
Joe Fisher
April 25, 2014
We will all miss him for his helping hand to every one that crossed his path. I will always be grateful for the favors he did for me. Eddie Guillot
April 25, 2014
The Staff of Wright & Ferguson Funeral Home-Parkway Memorial Cemetery
Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.
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Parkway Funeral Home and Memorial Park1161 Highland Colony Pkwy, Ridgeland, MS 39157
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