Wilma Pauline Graham

Wilma Pauline Byrd Graham

I will say of the Lord, he is my refuge and my fortress: My God,In him I will trust.

Psalms 91: 2

Born January 12, 1934 in Hazlehurst, MS to George Byrd and Georgia Butler-Byrd-Tillman. Wilma Pauline was baptized at a young age. Raised up from a little girl in Eupora, MS with her Aunt Hopie & Uncle Charlie White. Wilma Pauline is the oldest of four children Willie Zeal Byrd, Alice Faye Tillman, & Wiley Ruth Tillman. She attended Girls Polytechnic High School as well as Portland School of Nursing, she was a LPN for 50 years working at Emanual Hospital, Holiday Park, OHSU, and Terwilliger Plaza.

Wilma then traveled on to Portland, OR where she joined Vancouver Avenue First Baptist Church under the ministry of the late Reverend  Dr. O.B. Williams. In 1952, she married her Husband and love of her life, Deacon Elijah Graham Sr. Wilma and Elijah were the very first couple to wed in this historic location. To this union they had two sons Elijah (Tim) Graham Jr. and Tony Andre Graham.

Pauline had a loving, kind heart deeply embedded with the spirit of  giving. It was often her blessing to bless others with lavish needs and wants without hesitation. She loved having the family and friends over to share time, food and festives. Pauline truly loved antiques and home decor, elaborate dress and she loved fishing. She loved her five grandchildren dearly Lesa, Georgie, Meyaka, Alexandrea, Eli and two great-grand children, Malea and Naya along with a host of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Elijah Graham Sr., her Father, George Byrd, and her Mother, Georgia Butler-Byrd-Tillman, Sister Alice Faye Tillman and brother Willie Zeal Byrd of West Point Navel Academy passed in 1964.

She leaves behind to celebrate her memory her youngest sister, Ruth Tillman of Portland, OR,  two sons, Tony Andre Graham, Portland, Or, and Elijah Graham, Jr. “Tim” (Leisa), grandson Elijah George III, granddaughter, Lesa Renee Graham and great-grand daughters Malea and Naya all of Tacoma, WA. Also of Portland, Oregon, granddaughters, Meyaka Taylor, and Alexandrea Marie Graham of Honolulu, Hawaii and grandson Elijah Andre Graham “Eli” (Boyana) of Milwaukie, OR and nieces Dr. Sonya Byrd Thompson Meachum (Danny) and grandniece Jordan Lee Meachum of Atlanta, Georgia. Shelyne Tillman and grand grandnieces & nephews Wiley Tillman, and great-great grandniece RoseAaliyah Tillman, Whitney Tillman, Malik & Jeorge Robinson, and niece Krystal Pendergraph, Portland, OR along with a host of family and friends.

We lost a beautiful Wife, Mom,

Sister and Grandmother. She will forever be in Our hearts.

Special Acknowledgements:

All Staff CherryWood Village

ParkView Memory Care

Portland , OR

All Staff Marquis Piedmont

Assisted living Care Home

Portland, OR

Oregon Health Sciences University

Hillsdale OHSU facilities

Rose City Crematory and Funeral Home

Portland, OR

The family of

Mrs. Wilma Pauline Graham

Wish to express their sincere gratitude for all acts of kindness shown to the family.

We Appreciate all your devoted care & we sincerely

Thank You!

Our family scriptures

Genesis 28:14, Psalms 23,&

Psalms 27