It is with deepest sorrow that we announce the death of Elvin Otha Graves at the age of 100. Elvin was the beloved husband of Pamela Serpas Graves for 53 years. Loving father of David Zaffuto, Sr. (Donna). Grandfather of David Zaffuto, Jr. (Brittney), and Caitlin Zaffuto. Great-grandfather of Grant Zaffuto. Brother of Ethel Graves Brown, and Ray Graves. He was preceded in death by his parents, the late John Otha Graves and the late Myrtis Lee Graves Simmons; by his step-father, the late Milton Leslie Simmons; and by his siblings, the late Ina Mae Graves Holmes, the late Helen Simmons Evans, the late Melvin Graves, the late Wyman Graves, and the late Ralph Simmons. He also leaves behind many other relatives and dear friends. Elvin served his country in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) from the age of 16 to 18. At the age of 18, he joined the US Army and was stationed in Panama City, Panama, before serving in the Navy during WWII. Upon leaving the military, he spent many years as a mechanic at Kaiser Aluminum, in Chalmette, Louisiana, before purchasing an 18-wheeler, and spending 12 years on the road, with his brother Ray. Elvin was honored and proud to be a thirty-second degree Mason, as well as a Shriner. He packed a lot of life, love, and experiences into his 100 years on this earth, and he will be forever missed by all those he leaves behind. Relatives and friends attended a visitation and funeral service held in his honor at St. Bernard Memorial Funeral Home, 701 W. Virtue St., Chalmette, LA on Monday, September 30, 2019. He was laid to rest in St. Bernard Memorial Gardens. To view and sign the Family Guestbook, please visit www.stbernardmemorial.com.