Homegoing Celebration for Mr. Lawrence Graves "Lonnie" of Tampa, Florida who passed away Saturday, September 5, 2015 will be held Saturday, September 12th, 10:00 a.m., at St. John Cathedral, 3410 E. 25th Avenue, Senior Pastor Dwight Newkirk as Eulogist with, Pastor Tony Parker, officiating. The interment will be in Florida National Cemetery. Lawrence Graves was born in Chicago, Illinois on January 20, 1965 to the loving parents of the late Lawrence and Mary Elizabeth Graves. He attended elementary school in Isola, Mississippi, and later moved to Hillsborough County and graduated from Robinson High School in 1985. After graduation he joined the US Navy where he served as an aircraft handler for five years and was honorably discharged. Upon leaving the Navy he worked as a detention officer for 7 years in Pasco County. He then worked for Hillsborough County Sheriff's office for 8 years where he retired. After retirement, he briefly worked for the City of Tampa until he became ill. One of the things that Lonnie enjoyed was working on and restoring cars, under the tree at his sister house, which they jokingly called the tree of knowledge and chilling with his dog, "Bentley"/"Kidd". Lonnie was called home to be with the Lord, and he is now resting safely and gently in his arms. He will be truly missed. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Mary Elizabeth Graves; brothers, Kurt Crowley, Wilbert Crowley and James Livingston; nephew, Maurice Walton. Lonnie leaves to cherish his memories with a loving and devoted wife of 21 years, Keycia Griffin-Graves; sisters, Phyllis Jakes (Larry) who was instrumental in helping to raise him and becoming the man that he was, Betty Downs (Alberto) , Jeanette Carter (Jerome) all of Tampa, FL, Jacqueline Wright of Clarksdale, MS and Alicia Graves of Jackson, MS; brothers, Clark Graves of Tampa, FL, Joseph Crowley (Ella) of Jackson, MS and Richard Livingston (Emma Jean) of Memphis, TN; nieces, Michelle Exum, Rochelle Graves, Marquita Brown, Fantia Livingston and Natase Graves; nephews, Kevin Crowley, Alfred Brown, Marius Carter, Jamarian Carter, Justin Livingston, Christopher Livingston, Jackie Graves, Antwan Crowley and Quentin Graves; mother-in-law, Iona Simmons; father-in-law, Gary Griffin, Sr. (Eleanor) Bronx, NY; sisters-in-law, Lisa Griffin; Tampa and Alisa Griffin Bronx, NY; brothers-in-law, James Pickens, Tampa and Gary Griffin, Jr. Bronx, NY. Lonnie had many friends, and we could not list them all but we would be remiss if we did not mention his life time friend, Jerry Harris; close friends, James and Wonder Lee, Jeffrey and Lisa James, the Pickens family and the Wolf Pack; and a host of other relatives and friends. The visitation will be held at Aikens Funeral Home on Friday, September 11th from 5 to 8 p.m. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. The family and friends are asked to meet at the church on Saturday for the service.