GOLDEN WEDDING CELEBRATION HELD

Sunday, Dec. 2, marked the celebration of the 50th Wedding Anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Gravley of Carrollton, and over 275 guests attended the open house held in their home from 2 to 5 p.m.  Mr. and Mrs. Gravley were married Dec. 8, 1901 near Hebron, Denton County and both have lived near Carrollton for almost 70 years.
Receiving with their parents were Miss Lula Gravley, Mr. and Mrs. Lee Ammons, John Gravley, J. W. Gravley, A. E. Gravley and two grandsons, Billy John and Frankie Gravley, Mrs. A. E. Gravley presided at the guest book and Mrs. J. W. Gravley and Mrs. John Gravley received and displayed the many gifts.
The table was covered with a lace cloth and centered by a huge bouquet of yellow mums with yellow satin streamers leading to the table edge. Fruit punch and individual cakes were served by Norma June Lord, Francine Fallis, Oda Ruth Holley and Jerry Gravley.
The house was beautifully decorated throughout with numerous floral gifts of yellow and gold mims and yellow roses. An entire room was devoted to the display of the many lovely gifts sent by those who love and honor this wonderful couple, affectionately known to all as Aunt May and Uncle Jake.

The Carrollton Chronicle - Friday, December 7, 1951

'Uncle Jake' Gravley Marks 89th Birthday

The 89th birthday of Carrollton's first school bus driver, a retired local merchant, was celebrated Sunday at his home.

He is "Uncle" Jake Gravley of 1321 Walnut in Carrollton, where 31 of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and members of their families gathered for the birthday celebration.

Mr. Gravley's children attending were John L. Gravley, Mesquite; Mrs. Lee Ammons and Miss Lula Gravley. A fourth child, J. W. Gravley, San Antonio, was unable to be present. Mr. Gravley has four children, nine grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Born Nov. 12, 1880, he was the elder of six children and the only one of the six now living. He came with his parents as a baby in arms  to Texas and Lamar County on Christmas Eve, 1880. While still a boy, he moved to Dallas County.

The family lived on a farm east of Farmers Branch 11 years. Carrollton at that time had 300 population.

Mr. Gravley entered the grocery business in Carrollton in 1915, and the family moved here in January 1916. Thus they have lived in Carrollton 53 years. They have lived at his present address since 1938.

"Uncle Jake," as he is widely known, severed on the Carrollton School Board, resigning to become the first school bus driver in 1926. He retired from business in 1933.

He is a member of First United Methodist Church and the Masonic Lodge. Since suffering a stroke nine years ago, he has been in a wheelchair but his daughter, Miss Lula Gravley, said otherwise he is in good health.

A son, Arthur E. Gravley, Fort Worth, died last year; his death was the first in the immediate family.

Mr. Gravley's wife, to whom he had been married almost 68 years, died Sept. 23, 1969.

The Carrollton Chronicle - November 13, 1969

GRAVLEY
Jacob Ballinger, 1321 Walnut Street, Carrollton. Survived by sons, J. W. Gravley, San Antonio, John L. Gravley, Carrollton; Mrs. Lee Ammons Carrollton; nine grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren. Services 2 p.m. Monday, First United Methodist Church, Carrollton. Rev. Leon Turner, Rev Ken Carter, Rev. Davie Brandon officiating. Interment Restland. Pallbearers: Grandsons. Masonic graveside services will be conducted by Carrollton Lodge No 1414, AF&AM. If desired, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, Carrollton.
RHOTON-WEILAND-MERRITT

The Dallas Morning News - February 6, 1972

A burglar, so it seems, made bold to enter the Noble Whitlock home Monday night. Mrs. Whitlock happened to be awake and awoke her husband and he in turn called the Jake Gravley home. Heavy artillery was brot forth and the ammunition wagon placed into position and then the charge was made.  The burglar escaped and may not have any marks of conflict as a memento of the fray, but if so it is doubtless due to the fact that no smoke screen was thrown about the scene before the heavy barrage was launched. We wouldn't like to play the trade of burglar in that neighborhood and so are not going to recommend it to the profession, for when Jake gets that "gat" in action there is likely to be blood spilled.

The Carrollton Chronicle - Friday, August 24, 1928

GRAVLEY
MAY E - 1881 - 1969
JACOB B - 1880 - 1972

Restland Memorial Park, Dallas, Dallas County, Texas