Elder Louise Graham

The Life and Legacy of a Soldier: Elder Louise "Fox" Graham

July 15, 1949, to May 26, 2022

On July 15, 1949, Louise Graham was born to Zuline Brown Graham and Floyd Graham Sr. in Verbena, Alabama. She grew up in the Pentecost community, where she received her early childhood education at the Pentecost Elementary School. Although Louise had limited resources, Fox managed to excel in school and was skipped from the first to the third grade. Upon completion of elementary school, she transferred to Autauga County Training School, where she remained until graduating in 1966. Louise's appreciation for the Lord matched her drive for education. 

Louise confessed her belief in Christ at an early age and was baptized at the Pentecost A.M.E. Church under the leadership of Rev. C.L. Parker. While attending Pentecost A.M.E., she served in the Sunday School Ministry as Secretary and Primary Sunday School Teacher. Though she experienced early educational success and a spiritual upbringing, the economic and social opportunities were limited for young Black women and men. Like many during the period, Louise would look northward for opportunities during the Great Migration. 

In June of 1966, her desires and dreams for a better future led her to New York, where she was employed in various capacities for over fifty years. Louise's career would take her from domestic labor to roles such as Nursing Assistant, Medical Assistant, Medical Office Manager, and Billing Manager until her retirement in 2015. However, her reintroduction to the Church would open other doors for her talent. 

In the mid-seventies, Louise began her fellowship with the Christian Light Missionary Baptist Church in Long Beach, New York, under the leadership of Rev. Jessie J. Evans. Over 70 percent of Christian Light's parishioners were first-generation migrants from the South. She served faithfully in the congregation for 39 years. While at Christian Light, Louise served as a Trustee, Financial Secretary, Sunday School Teacher, Choir member, Black History Department Chair, and the Superintendent of Sunday Schools. Her religious leadership went beyond the walls of Christian Light. She held positions such as the Secretary of the Long Island Progressive Sunday School and Baptist Training Union and Dean of the Long Island Progressive State Convention. While humbly making her mark in the Church, Louise touched people's lives in the community. 

She held many community positions to inspire youth and the vulnerable. Louise was an active member of the Long Beach chapters of the NAACP, Kiwanis Club, and Housing Authority Board. Her advocacy included founding and directing the afterschool program, Project Excellence in Motion, Saturday Enrichment Program for ages 4-6, the Project Hope Golf Tournament, and organizing the Annual Thanksgiving Dinner and National Senior Citizens Day. Her advocacy also addressed national issues. 

Louise led the organization of the first union, Local 1115, for workers at Strang Clinic in Manhattan. She also led protests and opinions on fair housing. During the 1980s, Louise went undercover to reveal redlining practices that prevented Blacks and other minorities from living in their neighborhoods of choice. Her actions forced some realty companies to change their policies or face legal action. As she neared retirement, the Church and family were still her priorities.

In January 2009, Louise received her license to preach under the leadership of Bishop Isaac R. Melton Jr at Christian Light. Later that October, she received another license under the Sword of the Spirit by Presiding Prelate, Bishop Lionel Harvey. She also received a license by Presiding Elder Hyche of the Montgomery-Selma District A.M.E. She was a member of the United A.M.E. Louise was ordained by Pastor Larry Sailes, Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church, November 17, 2018.  

When Louise was called home by the Lord on May 26, 2022, she left her two sons, Dr. Patrick C. Graham of Huntersville, North Carolina, and Edwin C. Graham of Dallas, Georgia. Her two living sisters are Ruby J. White of Verbena, Alabama, and Rosetta Johnson of Phoenix, Arizona (she was proceeded in death by siblings Mary Ollie Graham, Phillip Graham, Jessie Lee Carver, Lillie Bell Speigner, Frank Nelson Graham, Floyd Graham Jr., and Alice Ruth Posey). She celebrated her grandchildren ("Grandma's Babies"- no matter how old) Jasmie, Kaelin, Jelani, Kyla, Myles, Mia, Landin, Larenz in memory, Luke, Haley, Lexington, and Chance. Louise also has a host of dedicated nephews, nieces, cousins, other family members, and friends.

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