Teresa "Tina" Ann Graddy

Teresa Ann Graddy passed away on May 18, 2020, in Stockton, GA, after battling an illness for half her lifetime. Born on March 9, 1973, in Homerville, GA, she was the fourth daughter of Son and Betty Sue Graddy (nee Williams). Her eldest sister chose her name, but her Daddy called her “Tina,” which better captured her spirit.

Although Tina suffered devastating losses in recent years, in childhood, she relished outdoor adventures in her neighborhood, in the nearby woods, and at school while remaining a constant to friends and family. A hard worker, she also studied, graduating from Clinch County High School in Homerville and earning a degree in nursing from South Georgia College in Douglas, GA. Tina’s strongest desire was to care for others, and she had a lovely singing voice.

Her greatest achievements will always be her three children. She lavished them with affection, but her love for them was greater than she could show.  They, in turn, presented her with grandchildren who became the lights of her life; they called her “Yaya.”

Until the day she died, Tina had a sparkle in her eye for everyone she met, and her step never lost the joy of a 5-year-old going swimming.

Tina is survived by a son: Brett Wayne Tucker; and daughters: Macy Ciara Johnson of Homerville and Connor Madison Johnson of Waycross; as well as daughter-in-law: Haley Elizabeth Richmond of Monticello, FL; by grandchildren: Daiden Soles, Kylan Soles, Grayson Soles and Brista Soles of Pearson, GA, Harlen Johnson of Homerville, River Matthew Riley of Waycross, and Emmalynn Rae Tucker of Monticello.

She is preceded in death by her father, Son Graddy, and survives by her mother, Betty Sue Williams Graddy of Homerville.

She also is survived by her sisters: Josephine Elizabeth Graddy of Atlanta, GA, Susan Graddy Brown of Homerville and Elisa Graddy Varnadore of Douglas, and her brother, Charles Bradley Graddy of Homerville, as well as brothers-in-law: Joel Fender of Atlanta, Jeff Brown of Homerville and Shannon Giddens of Lakeland, GA.

Tina had 10 nieces and nephews, most of whom she helped to care for at one time or another: Elissa Caroline Graddy and Ryan Christopher Graddy of Atlanta, Annelise Elizabeth Brown and Meredith Mosley Brown of Homerville, Jonathan Brock Graddy of Homerville, Kayne Johnson Varnadore and Kole Griffin Varnadore of Douglas, Kaylee Graddy Brown of Lakeland, and Kyler Bradley Graddy and Kameron Brannon Graddy of Oak Grove, KY, as well as her nieces’ and nephews’ spouses, Tanner Branham, Heather Thomas Graddy, Samantha Bucknell Graddy, Richard Brown and Haylee Boese Graddy, and their children, Tina’s great nieces and nephews: Brianna Leigh Graddy and Brayden Son Graddy of Homerville, Mary-Sue Madison Brown of Lakeland, and Isabella Harper Graddy of Oak Grove.

Tina had loved and lost more than once and at her death, she had made a home with Chip Lambert of Stockton who also survives her. Her list of other friends and family is long, and she carries her memories of them with her into her peace.

The immediate family will gather on Thursday to say goodbye and will invite all to celebrate her life at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes memorial contributions be made to the American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence, which targets access to treatment and over-prescription of opioid medication: http://www.aatod.org/give/donate-online/.