Esther Graf February 27, 2010

Esther Graf, a survivor of the Holocaust and a devout Christian left us to go to her Heavenly Father on February 27, 2010. She will be remembered as a woman who gave everything of herself to others. Her experiences in Nazi occupied Germany led her to have a greater understanding of the dangers of racial and religious prejudice. Ms. Graf left Germany and moved to Savannah, Ga. in 1948. In 2001 she moved to Goldsboro, to be near her daughter and her family. Ms. Graf was a scientist and the first white professor at a black college. She was a Civil Rights advocate/ Participant and a social worker.

Ms. Graf was a member of the New Life Baptist Church. Through the years the members of the church brought her joy and became her extended family. Her daughter wishes to offer them special thanks. Ms. Graf was especially proud of the friendship and accomplishments of Pastor Rick and Laura Mondell and her friendship with Barbara and Billy Johnson, and the late Jessie Fields. She would not have enjoyed the last years of her life as much without her church family.

Mrs. Graf was the daughter of the late Siegmund and Kaethe Mitzlaf Graf. She has one daughter, Kathy Capen and her husband James T. Capen of Goldsboro. Her grandchildren include: Carol Quamme, Justin York and his wife Kelly, Joshua Capen, Nova Capen, Mary Easter and her spouse, Chris Edwards, Brandon Jones, James W. Capen, and Kayla West. She was extremely proud of her flock of great grandchildren: Caethe, Conner, Mackenzie Reid, Silver, Maddie, Emma, Alexander, Gabriel, Dixie, Brice, and Emily. She also claimed as her daughters Esta Blount and Carol Cameron, grandchildren Katie Fergunson and Savannah.

A special thanks to the people at Home Health and Hospice for their support and to the staff at Brithaven, especially Nurse Susan and her husband.

Graveside services will be held in Savannah, Ga. and will include a private ceremony. She will be interred with her parents at Hill Crest Abby Memorial Park.

Funeral arrangements are by Howell Funeral Home & Crematory in Goldsboro.