Thomas Michael Graham

Thomas Michael “Mike” Graham age 71 of Salem, Ohio, entered Heavens Gates on Saturday, December 26, 2020. He was born October 24, 1949, in the capital of West Virginia, Akron, Ohio, and was raised in Alliance, Ohio. Mike was the son of Cecil E. Graham and Lena Lavon Siers Graham.

Mike graduated from Alliance High School and received his Associate’s Degree in Theology from Mountaineer Baptist College, in Salem, West Virginia.

A member of Alliance Baptist Temple, Mike served his country with pride in the United States Marine Corp.

Mike loved and served the Lord, pastoring and planting the Friendship Baptist Churches in Grafton, West Virginia, and Hartville, Ohio.

He enjoyed drag racing, muscle cars, riding his motorcycle with friends, and he was an avid lover of Mustangs.

Mike was co-founder of the Princess Within Pageant, for those with special needs.

Due to Mike’s loving nature and sense of humor, he made a lasting impact on peoples’ lives. Of all of the things Mike loved, he most loved serving God and biggie hugs from his grandchildren.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Patty (Leeper) Graham, who he married November 12, 1994; children Michael (Danielle) Graham of Winter Haven, Florida, Lena (Larry) Hartman, of Alliance; Michelle (Doug) McCartney of Anderson, South Carolina,  Joe Elliott of Marion, Ohio and Julie (Brian) McMillen of Delaware, Ohio; brothers Roger (Kim) Nutter, Roy (Angie ) Nutter Jr., and Richard (Laura) Nutter; eighteen grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and also his son, Charles E. Graham, his sisters, Mary Perry, and Patricia Kunkle, step-brother, Thomas Tribett, and stepsister, Karen Mauller.

Services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, December 30th at Alliance Baptist Temple with Pastor’s Randy Payne and Terry Wilson officiating.

Friends may visit from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, December 29th at Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral Home, and one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday.

Mike will be laid to rest at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman, Ohio.

Arrangements are entrusted to Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral Home 75 South Union Ave Alliance, Ohio 44601.