Thora Mae Graybeal

Thora Mae Graybeal of South Bend, IN, formerly of Hamburg, New York, passed away peacefully at 2:15 p.m. on September 24, 2015 at Memorial Hospital in South Bend. She was 83 years old.  Thora was born on June 12, 1932 to the late Harry King and Lilley Bronson King in Erie, Pennsylvania.

She is survived by her daughter, Frances (Tom) Lapkiewicz of South Bend, Indiana; sons, Coyle (Tina)  Atkinson, Jr. of Hamburg, NY and William (Pam) Atkinson of Towanda, IL; grandchildren, Jennifer (Terry) Rex of Riverview, FL, Douglas Callagee of Owensboro, KY, Andrew (Amanda) Atkinson of Cheektowaga, NY, Daniel Atkinson of Royston, GA and Joseph Atkinson of Cheektowaga, NY; Great grandchildren, Alyssa, Christopher and Michael Collier and Trenton Rex, all of Riverview, FL, Truth Callagee of Owensboro, KY and Nicole Atkinson of Cheektowaga, NY and numerous cousins.

In 1951, Thora graduated from Sherman High School in Sherman, NY. After graduation, she moved to Washington, D.C., where she went to work for the Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company.  Thora married Coyle T. Atkinson Sr. on February 25, 1957. In 1960, the family moved to Buffalo, NY. Thora got a job at the New York Telephone Company where she retired after nineteen years of service.  After the death of Coyle in 1968, she raised her three children alone as a single mother.   She decided to get a job and work at Buffalo General Hospital, where she worked for five years as a telephone operator.  On May 31, 1980, she married Joseph D. Graybeal.  He died in 1984.

After her kids were grown, Thora decided to further her education.  She attended Hilbert College in Hamburg, NY.  She earned a degree in transportation.  Thora used that degree and got a job at Davis Freight Management where she was a transportation manager.  She left there to go to Rich Products.  Her last job was at Buffalo Batt and Felt, where she retired at the age of sixty-eight years old.

Thora remained in Hamburg, NY until May of 2007 where she moved to South Bend, IN to be near her daughter, Frances.  She resided at the Fairington Apartments where she had many friends that she adored.

Thora had numerous hobbies and interests.  She loved playing bingo and calling bingo.  She enjoyed playing cards, reading, watching the news and hearing about the current events.  Thora loved going on outings, especially to baseball games, the casino and eating at restaurants.  She loved to travel and enjoyed going on cruises. Thora loved going back to New York to the Erie County Fair.  She also enjoyed Networking with friends and family on the computer.  She was an avid cat lover, having owned many cats in her life.

Thora made friends easily and kept them the duration of her life.  She was the most beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother.  She will be missed deeply and dearly.  Rest Well Thora!

The family would like to thank the staff at Healthwin Specialized Care, the oncology doctors, nurses and staff on the 10th floor at Memorial Hospital and hospice.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, September  28, 2015 at Southlawn United Methodist Church,  60756 U.S. 31 South, South Bend, IN.  Friends may visit with the family 2:00-4:00 p.m. Sunday at the  Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, 3718 S. Michigan St., South Bend, IN.   Burial will take place at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 30, 2015 at the North East Cemetery, Pennsylvania.  

Contributions in memory of Thora Graybeal may be offered to Hospice Foundation, 501 Comfort Place, Mishawaka, IN 46545 or Southlawn United Methodist Church, 60756 U.S. 31 South, South Bend, IN 46614.  Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com

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