Lydia Osopheta Graham

Lydia Osopheta Graham, 98, passed away Thursday, June 2, 2016. She was born on June 8, 1917 on the island of St. Croix, an only child to Sarah Thomas (Nee Herbert) and Samuel Woodley. She spent her childhood on the Estates of Barren Spot, Castle Burke, and Upper Love. At the age of 15 she relocated to Harlem, New York to advance her education during the Depression. She resided with her Aunt Mary Hodge and during that time she did domestic work at a clothing factory and began studying to be a nurse. Lydia met and married Charles Henry and from that union they produced a son, Rodney C. Henry. Unfortunately, that marriage did not last. Lydia then met and married James Graham from South Carolina. After living 38 years in New York, she retired as a nurse, after 25 years of service she relocated back to St. Croix. She got a job working in the school lunch program at Charles H. Emmanuel School and retired in 1977. Lydia is survived by her son Rodney Henry, Grandchildren; Danette Henry, Tamika Stokes, Haleema Al-Mazroui, Jameela Henry, and Great-grandchildren; Tamia Miller, Jaylen Stokes, Isabella Mai, and Layla Anderson. Her Jimmy passed away in 1996 after 35 years of marriage. Thanks to all who helped during those lonely years, especially Jean Walcott, Betty Christian, Eleanor Parris, Margaret McIntosh, Claudette Schrader, Elroy Harrison, Unita Georges, Patricia Gerard and family, Zorena Bethelmy and family, Donah Brow and family, to include many others. Special thanks to pastor Vessup for occupying her time on Fridays at the church and taking her with him to share the shut in communion, which she enjoyed. Thanks to all who made her world so pleasant in St. Croix. Visitation: 5:00PM-9:00PM Thursday, June 9, 2016 at Sunset Funeral Home Northeast. Funeral Service: 12:00PM Friday, June 10, 2016 at Sunset Funeral Home Northeast with Committal Service to follow at 2:30PM at Fort Bliss National Cemetery. Services entrusted to Sunset Funeral Home Northeast.