Oct. 6, 1947 – April 21, 2012

NATCHEZ — A celebration of life for Martha Lil Parker Graning, 64, of Natchez, who died Saturday, April 21, 2012, at her residence with her family by her side, will be at noon today at Trinity Episcopal Church.

Burial will follow at the Natchez City Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time today in Kuehnle Hall at Trinity Episcopal Church.

Mrs. Graning was born Oct. 6, 1947, in Natchez, the second of four daughters to Robert Hicks Parker Jr. and Juanita Brumfield Parker. She was a 1965 graduate of Natchez High School and attended Mississippi State University where she was initiated into the Chi Omega Fraternity. She was the first female vice president of a class at Mississippi State University. She continued her studies at East Tennessee State University where she graduated magna cum laude with a degree in psychology and later earned a master’s degree in social work from the University of Southern Mississippi. She was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Honorary Society.

Lil returned home to Natchez and following her passion for the palliative care of Hospice and family counseling, she established Appletree Hospice and Counseling Associates, a private counseling center.

Lil was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and counselor and served her community in a variety of ways. She was a member of the Pilgrimage Garden Club, served as sergeant of arms of the Rotary Club of Natchez, a member of the Board of Directors of The Sunshine Shelter and Trinity Episcopal School. Other favorite things included traveling this great country by land with her husband and enjoying life with her wide circle of friends.

Lil was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Edna “Dootsie” Parker Murphy and Paula “Polly” Parker Pugh.

Survivors include her husband, Charles Hugh “Chick” Graning; one daughter, Lil Bramlette Lewis, whose father is David Clay Bramlette; one son-in-law, Michael Todd Lewis; two grandchildren, Michael Tucker Lewis and Martha Bramlette Lewis, all of Natchez; one sister, Deborah “Debbie” Parker Calandro and husband, Blaise, of Baton Rouge; her husband’s two children, Charles Hugh “Chick” Graning Jr., of Boston and Gwendolyn Graning Hilla and husband, James, of Andersonville, Tenn.; one sister-in-law, Mina “Sis” Stowers of Natchez; one brother-in-law, Alan Ward Graning Jr. and wife, Loretta, of Jackson; and a number of nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family wishes to express sincere appreciation to Dr. Kenneth Stubbs, Dr. Frederic Billings and Dr. Kenneth Lo, Hospice Compassus team of Ann Cobb, R.N., and Pat Sims, CNA, and her caregivers, Amy, Becky, Marry and JoAnne, who were steadfast in compassion and care during Lil’s illness.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Trinity Episcopal Day School, 1 Mallan Morgan Drive, Natchez, MS 39120 or a charity of choice.

Online condolences may be sent to www.lairdfh.com.