Persis Graf

Persis Ruth Graf passed away peacefully on September 17, 2026. She was born Persis Ruth Schultz on the 8th day of July in the year of our Lord 1929 in Iowa Falls, Iowa, the daughter of William and his wife Persis. Persis Ruth was christened in August of 1929 by her grandfather Reverend Reuben Schamehorn in the Spring Arbor Free Methodist parsonage and was received into God’s Kingdom of Grace through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism at Rose Lake Free Methodist Church in August of 1939. Persis joined the Rose Lake Free Methodist Church in 1940 and transferred to the Jefferson Avenue Presbyterian Church in Detroit in 1950 and to Christ the King Lutheran Church in in Grosse Pointe Woods in 1959.

Persis grew up in Hersey and later Dighton, Michigan, attending LeRoy high school. After receiving her Bachelor of Science degree from Michigan State University in 1950, Persis worked in the Parke Davis Research Department until 1962, leaving as an Associate Research Microbiologist. Her great hobby was skiing.

On December 7, 1957, Persis was joined in Holy Matrimony with Ernest Herbert Graf at the South Community Methodist Church in Cadillac, Michigan. They lived happily in Grosse Pointe Woods for 50 years. Persis loved Christ the King Church, and being grateful for her spiritual guidance, served in various capacities. She and Ernie later resided at American House.

She was predeceased by her husband Ernest, her sister Dr. Elizabeth Nall of Texas, and her parents. Mourning her death with the hope of resurrection are her daughter Lisa (Scott) Cooper of Harrison Township, Michigan; her son Ernest (Lindsey) Graf of Brisbane, Australia; beloved grandchildren Kevin (Nina) Cooper, Amy (Alexander) Desai, Adiya (Alex) Graf, Jesse Graf, and Harper Graf; a beloved great granddaughter; and loving cousins, nieces and nephews.

There will be a private gathering for family, and Persis left written instructions for her children to tell friends that “instead of sending flowers they should go out to dinner one night.”