Thomas Montgomery "Monty" Graves, age 50, of Tuscumbia, died Sunday, April 8, 2007, at his home. He was born in Versailles on February 5, 1957, a son of Thomas Walter and Nancy Nell (Graham) Graves who survive at their home north of Iberia. On December 30, 1978, in Tuscumbia, he was married to Stephanie Laura Howard, who resides at their farm.

The couple had two children; a daughter, TaNeá Marie of Jefferson City and a son, Thomas Tyson, who preceded him in death. In addition, extended family includes; one sister, Jenny McDonald, parents-in-law, Paul and Marjorie Howard, three sisters-in-law, Rebecca Young, Connie Wyrick, Molly Anderson and their spouses, along with ten nieces and nephews.

A lifelong resident of Tuscumbia, Monty graduated from Tuscumbia High School in 1975, where he excelled at academics and sports. He received his Bachelor's degree in Poultry Science and his Master's in Business Administration, both from the University of Missouri-Columbia. For the past 22 years he has raised turkeys and cattle, but found time to travel and pursue his many hobbies with his wife.

Services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 12 at Mt. Zion Christian Church in Tuscumbia. Gene Edwards will officiate. Interment will be in Gott Cemetery near Ulman.

Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. on Wednesday at Rekus Funeral Home in Iberia.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Monty's name to the Tyson Graves Memorial Scholarship Fund.