Cathy Graf

Born on December 1, 1949 Departed on December 12, 2016 and resided in Nashville, TN Visitation: West Harpeth Funeral Home and CrematoryFriday December 16, 2016 4:00pm to 6:00pmA Celebration of a Life Well Lived: West Harpeth Funeral Home and CrematoryFriday December 16, 2016 6:00pm to 7:00pm

A longtime Metro educator of 3rd Graders passed away after a tenacious, but short battle with cancer on December 12th, 2016, shortly after her 67th Birthday. Mrs. Graf was a native of Lawrenceburg, Tennessee and a graduate of Lipscomb University. She was one of the youngest teachers hired to teach in Metro, beginning her career at Moses McKissack Elementary and then McCann Elementary. She took time off to have her three children and lived in Troy, Alabama and Florence, Alabama. She was in the initial group of parents to help organize and revitalize Riverhill School in St Florian, Alabama. When she moved back to Nashville, she resumed her passion for teaching at Joelton Elementary and then spent 26 years teaching 3rd Grade at Charlotte Park Elementary, in west Nashville. Mrs. Graf was honored with Teacher of the Year at Charlotte Park twice. She received the national Bill Ellis Award at a ceremony in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This prestigious award is for excellence in practice and a commitment to all students, especially those with learning disabilities. She was also a concept presenter in Washington, DC at the National Education Conference sponsored by then First Lady Laura Bush. She was most proud of her love of God, her family, and being a dedicated teacher and mentor. The students, families, some taught by Mrs. Graf for three generations, and co-workers enriched by her talents and altruistic personality, coupled with a warm and giving heart, are innumerable. She touched thousands of students and families in a positive and nurturing way. Mrs. Graf was preceded in death by her parents Robert A. Crowder, Sr. and Melba Weatherman Crowder, both of Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. She is survived by her husband, Bob Graf; daughters Libby Boomer of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Cathryn Graf of Nashville, Tennessee; her son, Trey Graf (Rachel) of Franklin, Tennessee; and two grandchildren, Jake Boomer attending the University of Mississippi and Emerin Boomer attending Bard College at Simons Rock, Massachusetts. She is also survived by her brother, Robert A. Crowder, Jr. MD (Jean Ann) of Old Hickory, Tennessee and two sisters Beth O'Neil (Michael) of Germantown, Tennessee and Amelia Crowder of Lawrenceburg, Tennessee as well as nieces and nephews. There will be a celebration of "A LIFE WELL LIVED" at West Harpeth Funeral Home, 6962 Charlotte Pike, Nashville, Tennessee 37209. Visitation from 4:00 to 6:00 and a brief memorial following on Friday, December 16th. In lieu of flowers, the family humbly requests contributions be made in Cathy's honor and memory to THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY or ALIVE HOSPICE OF NASHVILLE.