Evelyn R. Graham

Evelyn R. Graham, age 92, of Centerville, died Sunday, August 11, 2024. She was everybody’s favorite mom, everybody’s favorite friend and everybody’s favorite secretary. 

She was a true daughter of Dayton, born and raised in the city and living there her whole life, often telling stories of the city’s history recounted with the pride of its successes. Born in 1932, she grew up in Oakwood, graduating from Julienne High School, where she played on the school sports teams and made many of her lifelong friends. She went on to work at NCR Corporation after high school as an Executive Secretary in the International Division. It was while working at NCR, at its company-built and -owned Old River Park swimming area that she met her future husband, Charlie Graham. 

A few years later, they would marry and move to Kettering and eventually land in the relatively unsettled area of Centerville to start a family. During that time, in addition to raising her three children, and volunteering at their school, Incarnation grade school, she dedicated herself to volunteer work in the community, first as a member of the Dayton Women’s Club and then for the Serra International Club, helping run its golf tournament fundraiser every year. She also was a member of Incarnation Church for 65 years and devoted to attending Mass, sometimes daily.

When the children started heading off to college, Evelyn and Charlie decided to take a chance and buy a business called Your Private Secretary, where, with her usual hard work and determination, she built it into successful business, leasing office space, operating an answering service for nearly 150 small businesses and doing all kinds of typing and stenography ranging from legal copyright work, business and sales proposals, resumes, college papers, novels and even marketing for local bars and other shops. The Christmas parties for Your Private Secretary were legendary and Evelyn maintained a fun atmosphere in the office for employees and clients alike. 

Evelyn was very devoted to family and was always there for all her children, Kim, Janet, and Charles William (Chuck). Whether it was attending sporting events, helping bake school cupcakes or just offering good advice for whatever the situation, she was the go-to. Family vacations often brought everyone together, especially the summer trips to Callaway Gardens in Georgia, which the family traveled to for many years. After college graduations and as the family moved out and around the country, they often got together for family trips to Europe or reunions at the beach on the Outer Banks in North Carolina. Together with her husband, Charlie, they traveled eventually to all 50 states and 30 countries. 

Her enthusiasm also extended to the basketball court, where she was a faithful fan of the University of Dayton basketball team and a season ticket holder since 1952. She and her husband, Charlie, followed the games religiously and she was a knowledgeable supporter of her Flyers. 

An accomplished bridge player, Evelyn’s charm and wit enhanced every party and celebration. She enjoyed a well-made Manhattan and was a magnet for friends of many different generations. Whether it was hosting a holiday or putting on a party for one of the several dinner clubs she and Charlie belonged to or just an impromptu gathering on the screened porch, she was a generous and delightful hostess. She will long be remembered for her kindness, her love of life and laughter and her dedication to others.

Evelyn was preceded in death by her mother and father, Jeanette Hochwalt Rupel and Frank Rupel; her husband of 65 years, Charlie Graham; and by her son Charles William “Chuck” Graham. She is survived by daughters, Kim (Lew) Graham and Janet (John) Graham; daughter-in-law, Julie Thompson Graham; granddaughters, Kelli Graham and Leah (Lindsey) Graham Johnston; great-grandson, Charlie; and great-granddaughters, Claire and Anna.

A visitation will be held from 10-11 a.m. on Wednesday, August 21, at the Church of the Incarnation, 7415 Far Hills Avenue, Centerville, Ohio, 45459, with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11 a.m. The service can be livestreamed at incarnation-parish.com. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery. Donations may be made to the charity of your choice.