JANS – Rev. James Earl Graves Sr., a native of Hinds County, is this year’s recipient of the Roscoe Lucious Living Legend Award presented by Zion Travelers M.B. Church in west Jackson. Rev. Graves has served as pastor in Hinds and Rankin counties for more than 40 years, most recently at Mt. Helm Baptist Church in Brandon, MS. Lucious was an original member of the Canton Spirituals.

Rev. Graves was called to the ministry in 1974. To further prepare himself, he attended Mississippi Baptist Seminary (Jackson) and received a degree in English Bible. He also received a Master’s in Bible Theology from Slidell (LA) Bible College.

His service in leading God’s people began as assistant pastor of New Zion M.B. Church (St. Louis Street, Jackson) in 1978; he served there until 2004. Rev. Graves’ tenure at Fannin Baptist Church (Fannin) spanned from 1987 through 2007. Under his leadership at Fannin Baptist, a new sanctuary was erected and dedicated. 

Rev. Graves remains active in the community in several capacities, including membership in the Home Mission Institute and Baptist Union, and as an insurance agent for Peoples Funeral Home. He has six adult children, including his namesake, James E. Graves Jr., U.S. Court of Appeals Judge for the Fifth Circuit, and was married for 63 years to the late Rosie Lee Palmer Graves.