Anthony "Bay Bay" Graves

Sunrise March 7, 1955 - Sunset February 21, 2025

Anthony Graves departed to his eternal resting place on February 21, 2025.  He was born and raised in Newport News, Virginia, where he attended Huntington and Warwick High School. He decided to pursue his ambition and join the United States Army on March 31, 1973 where he received the National Defense Service Medal for his bravery and courage near the Panama Canal. After he was honorably discharged from the United States Army, Anthony came back to Newport News and became a commercial painter and worked numerous of odd and handyman jobs in the community.

Anthony was known by his community to be a quiet person some days, a very outspoken, adventurous person on the remaining days of the week. Anthony and his community nicknamed friends, Sambo, Dink, Tony and Nipsy, made sure that the Orcutt Avenue neighborhood children were protected from strangers and they would confront strangers if necessary, in order for the children to have fun and be safe. He also had a strong character of protecting his family. Everyone in the Orcutt Avenue neighborhood area knew who "Bay Bay" was and what he stood for.

He was preceded in death by his loving parents: George F. Graves & Mary E. Graves, brothers: Ernest, George and Thomas Graves, sisters: Chiquita L. Lewis & Turesser Graves-Pierce and nephew: Trevino Graves.

Anthony leaves to mourn, two brothers, Dr. James Graves & Alfonso Graves with a host of nieces, nephews and cousins

Funeral service will be at 11:30 a.m., Monday, March 17, 2025 at O.H. Smith and Son Funeral Home, 3009 Chestnut Avenue Newport News, VA 23607. Interment with Military Honors will be held at Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery, 5310 Milners Rd., Suffolk, VA 23434. Viewing will be from 12-3 p.m. on Saturday, March 15, 2025 and from 9 a.m. until the hour of the funeral service on Monday at the funeral home.   O. H. Smith & Son Funeral Home is honored to serve the family.