Cora Bernice Graham
Cora Bernice Graham passed away at age 91 on May 25th, 2018; beautifully, gracefully and peacefully, which is exactly how she lived. Born September 16, 1926 in Sheridan, Wyoming to Frank and Virginia (Stott) Davis, the second of six children. Little Cora’s life was forever changed when the family moved to Red Lodge, Montana and at age 9 both her mother and newborn sister died shortly after birth. As was the custom during those times, the children were dispersed amongst families in the area who could take them in. Cora was her Daddy’s girl all her life and, as such, would go to great lengths to find her way to wherever her Daddy happened to be working.
Her fondest memories with her Daddy were staying on the Tuttle Ranch, where she was in charge of taking care of a flock of turkeys to earn her room and board. Cora continued working for her keep with various families in the Red Lodge area until age fourteen, when she went to live with her best friend Evelyn on the Graham Family Ranch on Fiddler Creek. God had plans for little Cora, placing her where she would meet and marry her handsome cowboy/soldier, the beginning of her family and legacy.
George Allen Graham Jr. proposed to Corkey (as the Graham Family nicknamed her) and in response said she would have to think about it. George asked that she hurry with her answer because he wanted to go hunting with his dad. George and Cora were married on September 15, 1943. Cora followed George to Camp Hale Colorado where he stationed to serve and train in the 10thMountain Ski Troop Division. Cora worked in the Camp Hale PX, and when George was called to war she returned home to the family ranch. Oh, the love letters they exchanged are priceless! Cora’s own little family came to be when Clarine was born in 1944, George in 1946 and Steve in 1948. In the words of her children, “There isn’t a better mother in the world.”
Her children grew up cradled in the arms of love that knew no end. She enjoyed every aspect of her role as mother and wife, ensuring her family knew how very special they were to her on a daily basis. God still had plans for Cora though and enlarged her family by making her a Nana eleven times, and continued with granting her twenty-nine great grandchildren and eighteen great- great grandchildren. She impacted the lives of her grandchildren in ways that are simply magical. Being with Nana was time treasured, and the lessons she taught are lifelong blessings. She measured you by your kindness, work ethic, treatment of animals and don’t dare harm a child. She loved a tender heart, old time gospel hymns, a good country song, betting on a horse race or five, a fuzzy navel drink, a warm fire and her home. Little Cora was blessed and she knew it, never taking for granted the simple joy of family and life. She made sure we all knew we were loved with everything she had.
Little Cora might not have stood tall but she stood mighty.
Our loss is only softened knowing she is with her beloved husband George, grandson Clint Stovall, Momma, Daddy and family members.
Cora’s remaining blessings are her children, Clarine Stovall, George Graham III (Sandy), Steve Graham, grandchildren; Laurie Noonkester (Grant), Christine Stovall, Carrie Heady (Raymond), George Graham IV (Wendy), Danielle Olsen (Mark), Shane Graham (LeVonna), Steve Graham Jr. (Kim), Jamie Christensen (Aaron), Jeremy Osse and Daniel Osse as well as twenty-nine great grandchildren and eighteen great-great grandchildren.
