Cheryl E. Graves, 80, of Oklahoma City, OK, passed away on May 3, 2024. She was born on December 1, 1943 in Dent, MN, the daughter of Frederick and Emilie (Wilschewski) Bunkowski. Cheryl met Don Graves in 1962 while they were both working at Erie Junior Steakhouse in Detroit Lakes, MN (Cheryl as a waitress, Don as a cook) and they were married in 1964. Don and Cheryl went on to have 2 children, Tim and Todd Graves.

Cheryl graduated from Perham High School in 1961, got her undergraduate degree from Minnesota State University in English, received her Master's Degree in English Literature from West Chester University in PA, and finally received a Reading Specialist Certification from University of Central Oklahoma.

Cheryl spent her early years teaching English and reading and eventually worked teaching many foreign students English as a second language.

In 1982, Cheryl turned her passion for teaching and reading into a new venture and opened Sylvan Learning Centers in Oklahoma City and Edmond, OK. She continued to own and operate the centers (and eventually Prometric Testing Center) with her husband Don (after his retirement) until 2007.

After her retirement, Cheryl spent her time with Don doing many things including following her passion for growing beautiful flowers, gardening, watching birds and cooking amazing food for her family. Cheryl was known for her numerous bird feeders and her beautiful flower gardens in her backyard.

Cheryl was predeceased by her husband, Don Graves; father, Frederick Bunkowski; mother, Emilie Bunkowski; and sisters, Marilyn Brekke and Audrey Aylesworth. She is survived by her two sons, Tim (Gerilynne) Graves of Edmond, OK and Todd (Tracy) Graves of Edmond, OK; two grandchildren, Triston Graves and TrayChristien Gillmore and husband Kip, and four great-grandchildren, Jace, Leighton, Rebel and Koe.

The family would like to give special thanks to the loving angels that took care of mom and dad the past 10 years. In particular: Joane, Celeste, Leslie and Barb. These angels were by mom and dad's side through all their health battles and were more than just caregivers, they became good friends and part of our family.

Services will be held at Epiphany of the Lord Catholic Church on May 14 at 10:30am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Now Foundation https://pulmonaryfibrosisnow.org/donate/, an organization Cheryl felt strongly about as her husband Don fought a long battle with a lung disease and was a 10 year survivor after a lung transplant.

Mom, we know you are in heaven now, out of the chair, dancing with dad.