Becky Diane Graves

At 7:55 a.m. on September 10, 2026, Becky Diane Graves finished her race. She leaves behind a grieving family and many friends who will deeply miss her presence, but she also leaves an imprint on the world that few could hope to achieve.

Becky was Kingdom-focused. She loved people. She built relationships. She was passionate about the things she believed mattered—passionate enough that sometimes people thought she was just a little crazy, or got tired of hearing about it.

But, most of all, Becky loved Jesus.

She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, friend, writer, and ministry leader. She is survived by her husband, Rick Graves; her three sons, Justin Graves (Hanna), Jared Graves (Rachel), and Ethan Graves (Hannah); and her granddaughter, Clara Jubilee Graves, daughter of Ethan and Hannah. She is also survived by her parents, Bobby Glenn Smith and Linda Pollard Smith of Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Becky believed people mattered because they were created in the image of God. She wanted people to be seen, known, loved, and treated with dignity. That conviction shaped her life's work, particularly through Haiti Awake, where she spent years building relationships and telling stories that challenged people to see Haiti—and Haitians—not through pity, but through dignity, faith, beauty, resilience, and hope.

Haiti changed Becky as much as she hoped her work might change the lives of others. She learned to listen, to receive, and to recognize that God was already at work. Her goal was never to be indispensable.

Her goal was to be faithful.

Becky is the author of Fear Is Not My Future, a devotional born from her own experiences with fear, faith, suffering, friendship, and the faithfulness of God. Her second volume, Fear Is Not My Future: Ordinary Days, Extraordinary Lessons (working title), was nearly complete at the time of her death. It drew from her writings about Haiti, ministry, relationships, ordinary mercies, and the continuing work of trusting God one day at a time. Its central message was simple: “You are still here. You are still loved. You are still called. You are still held.”

That message reflected the way Becky lived. She believed hope was not pretending that life would always turn out the way we wanted. It was trusting God when we could not control the outcome. She believed compassion was more than feeling sorry for someone—it meant moving closer, seeing their name and story, and recognizing the image of God in them.

She believed hope had hands. It showed up. It served. It remembered names. It loved practically.

Becky also loved running. And so, it seems fitting that she finished this earthly race having spent her life running another one—a race of faithfulness, love, courage, and hope.

She would not want those who loved her simply to mourn her. She would want them to live. Grieve the loss of her presence. Tell the stories. Laugh. Cry. Hug the people you love. Build relationships. Be passionate about something that matters more than your comfort and safety. And, in her honor, sign up for a race and go for a run!

Becky has finished her race.

She has kept the faith.

Now it is our turn to run.

Hebrews 12:1–2 — "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith."

A memorial service celebrating Becky's life will be held at Grace Baptist Church in Wilmington, North Carolina, on Monday, September 21, 2026.

The time will be announced when arrangements are finalized.

In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to Haiti Awake.

Shared memories and condolences may be sent to the family by selecting the Guest Book below.

Quinn McGowen Funeral Home of Wilmington is serving the family.

910-794-7171