Drema Daphne Smith Grau

Abingdon, Va.

Drema Daphne Smith Grau, 85, passed away after a short illness on Sunday, June 3, 2018.  She was born in Oak Hill, W.Va. on July 13, 1932 to the late Howard and Sylvia Smith.  She graduated from Oak Hill High School in 1950 and received her RN degree from West Virginia State Technical College in 1953.   

Drema married the late James E. Grau, Sr. in 1953.  They resided in Carrol County, Md. where she worked for 38 years in psychiatric nursing, administration, and as a nurse recruiter for the State of Maryland.  After her husband’s death, she relocated to Abingdon, Va. in 2000 to be near her family.  While in Abingdon, she was very involved in the hospital auxiliary, other clubs, and was an active member of the Abingdon United Methodist Church. 

She is survived by her son, James E. Grau, Jr. and wife Gail J. Grau; grandsons, Bryan C. Grau and wife Rachel, and Jason Alex Grau; sister, Sherrie S. Wright; nephews, Gilbert L. Gardner, and Chester H. Phillips and wife Pamela; and several grandnieces and grandnephews. 

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, June 7, 2018, in the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service with Glenn Patterson officiating.  A graveside committal service will be held in Freedom Cemetery in Eldersburg, Md. at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 9, 2018.   

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Abingdon United Methodist Church, 101 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210, or to Wesley Freedom United Methodist Church, 961 Jonesville Road, Sykesville, MD 21784, in Mrs. Grau’s name. 

Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com and signing the online guest register. The family of Drema Daphne Smith Grau is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service & Crematory, 427 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210, (276) 623-2700.