Josephine Frances Graven

Josephine Frances (La Russa) Graven, 82, passed from this life to eternal peace on Sunday, January 25, 2026. She was a true treasure, and she rejoiced in her Lord and Savior all the days of her life. Josephine will be reunited with the love of her life, Edward Clement Graven; her parents, Frank and Lena La Russa; her stepmother Elizabeth La Russa; her sisters and brothers: Patricia La Russa, Mary Sciro, Rose Marie La Russa, Frank La Russa, and Bernard La Russa; her sisters-in-law : Joan Zaruba, Clara La Russa, and Jackie Shahid; her brothers-in-law : Richard Zaruba and Bernard Sciro; her daughter-in-law Priscilla Graven; and granddaughter-in-law April Rawlins. She is survived by her four children Edward Clement Graven, Katherine Roach (William), Dawn Brown (Gregory), and Gina Hommrich (Brian); her six grandchildren {Michael Rawlins (Tiffany), Nicholas Rawlins, Christina Peters (Michael), Brittany Fisher (Dane), David Roach (Krista), and Garrett Brown.} She was delighted by her seven great-grandchildren: Caleb, Violet, and Andrea-Catherine Peters; Ruby and Magnolia Roach, and James and Charles Fisher. She is also survived by her brother and sister: Costanzo La Russa (Shirley) and Lena La Russa; her stepbrothers Alexander Shahid, Ricky Shahid (Jo Ann), her stepsister Marie Adams; and her sister-in-law Judy La Russa. Visitation will be Monday, February 2, 2026 at 10 AM at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 4600 Preserve Pkwy, Hoover, AL 35226. The family welcomes you to join them in a fellowship luncheon immediately after Mass. Her internment service will be at 2:30 PM at Jefferson Memorial Gardens, 1591 Gadsden Hwy, Birmingham, AL 35235.

Josephine was born January 30, 1943 in the “Little Italy” community of Birmingham, Alabama. She was the third child of eight born to Frank and Lena La Russa and she grew up in the corner grocery store her parents owned. She learned life-long lessons on how to be generous to neighbors and family; how to work hard and think independently; how to never give up; and to know God has a plan for each of us. She graduated from Fairfield High School earning a scholarship from the local hospital for her work in the laboratory. Her achievements lined her new pathway when she went away to Jacksonville State University and met the love of her life, Edward Graven, in the first semester of college. Her family began to love and respect this young man who wed Josephine in August 1961. Their lifelong adventure began and included four children, six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Josephine was an exceptional mother to her four children and a devoted Nana to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She showed her love by cooking, reading, playing Scrabble and card games, and by telling family stories. She famously held long conversations with her grandchildren. She grew to love travel and she had a very inquisitive and curious mind that often worked into the wee hours of the night. She made a list daily and was determined to finish all of the tasks she had set for herself, even several items on those lists days before her passing.

Josephine earned a BA, two MAs, and a Rank I certification in Education from the University of Alabama in Birmingham. Teaching, mentoring, and forever enriching the lives of her students was her passion and was reflected in her 32 years as an educator. She began her journey at St. Barnabas Catholic School, through the Tarrant (AL) City Schools (twice

recognized as the Teacher of the Year), and the Department of Defense Schools in Fort Knox, KY where she served an additional two years as an administrative intern for the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum. Jo persevered and was recognized in the Jacksonville State University Teacher Hall of Fame and is listed in Who’s Who Among American Educators and Who’s Who Among American Teachers.

One of her greatest professional achievements came through the nearly 30-year sisterhood she found in Delta Kappa Gamma International Society serving as the President of a local chapter in Kentucky and twice in Alabama. She developed lifelong friendships and professional avenues to further countless children a better educational experience. Her mind never stopped turning as she sought creative solutions to individual needs of each of her students, never overlooking anyone! She encouraged everyone to read and to creatively express themselves. She exemplified creativity as a gifted storyteller as a member of Tale Talk and E.A.R.S storytelling groups in Kentucky and later in Story Jammers in Baldwin County, Alabama. She was recognized as one of four Gulf Coast storytellers featured in Mobile Bay Magazine, 2012. She always looked for ways to perfect her skills even into her 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s through her Fairhope Pensters Writing Group.

Maintaining relationships was very important to Jo and she found great joy in writing for the Fairfield High School (Class of 1960) Alumni Quarterly Newsletters for 10+ years highlighting her classmates’ triumphs, lives, and keeping connections engaged. She loved attending the class reunions, fellowship, and dancing!

Jo was a gifted novelist who authored “Perseverance Road,” “Life’s Winding Road,” “A Collection of Short Stories as written by the Energized Turtle,” two seasonal cookbooks, and co-authored a third cookbook. She believed she could find a way to reach you: through the joy of getting lost in reading or by her love of cooking and sitting together to share a meal! Her generosity and dedication to St. Lawrence Catholic Church allowed her to share her storytelling, cooking, and involvement with the Society of St. Vincent De Paul….all her ways of giving back. After her spouse passed, she found new avenues to achieve happiness and comfort within PALs Social, her various card playing groups, and much later with treasured friends at The Brennity in Fairhope, Alabama who through their love and affection made her last two years of life exceptional in the face of many health challenges.

You always said, God has a plan and today we’re honoring you and the plan. You were a beautiful soul that touched so many! We are blessed to have you walk beside us every day….unseen, unheard, but always near….still greatly loved…missed immensely….and forever cherished in our hearts. Your life in heaven will be eternity and we’ll hold you in our heart until we can hold you in heaven.