Lydia L. Graham, age 99 years of Clinton, Missouri passed away Wednesday, April 9, 2014 at Golden Valley Memorial Hospital, Clinton, Missouri.  Funeral services will be held 11:00 A.M. Monday, April 14, 2014 at the Vansant-Mills Chapel, Clinton, Missouri.  The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.  Interment will be in Englewood Cemetery, Clinton, Missouri.  The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Clinton Church of Christ and may be left in care of the funeral home.  Fond memories and condolences can be left online at www.vansant-millsfuneralhome.com .

Lydia was born July 20, 1914 in Chebanse, Illinois the second daughter of Charles Lewis and Ruby Edith (Smith) Helwig.  Before she married, Lydia lived in Chebanse, Illinois, Hermitage, Missouri, Maurine, Missouri, and finally in Clinton, Missouri.  She was blessed to have one sister and four brothers.  While living in Maurine, Lydia and her sister Roberta occasionally rode horseback to school.

Lydia met Dick (James Richard) Graham in high school.  He stopped her in the hall one day and said to her, "You're the girl I'm going to marry."  They had one daughter, Lauretta, born in February of 1942, in Granite City, Illinois.  A loving and faithful wife, Lydia supported her husband in all his endeavors throughout their life together.  Upon retirement, James acquired an RV and began fulfilling Lydia's life-long dream to travel, ultimately landing them in Apache Junction, AZ, where they continued to winter until finally settling there full time.  After 14 years, James died of pneumonia during treatment for cancer.  During his illness, Lydia remained in constant support and cared for him day and night until his death in June of 2001.  She mourned him until the last.

Lydia was deeply religious and devoted to the Lord.  She was known as a shy, romantic, strong, and faithful woman.  Lydia was a member of the Clinton Church of Christ and the Order of the Eastern Star.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James Graham, and two brothers, Lewis E. Helwig and Charles R. Helwig Sr.

Survivors include her daughter, Lauretta Graham of Phoenix, Arizona,  two brothers; Lyle W. Helwig of Appleton City, Missouri and Robert Lee Helwig of Lee's Summit, Missouri, sister, Roberta Hurt of Overland Park, Kansas, two grandchildren; Hilary Ward Shaffer and Virginia Baker Sellers; great-grandson, Jonathan Sellers, 5 nephews; Dale, Michael, Gary, David and Charles R.  Jr., as well as 4 nieces; Donna, Karen, Marsha, and Lisa.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Vansant-Mills Funeral Home of Clinton, Missouri.