Dolores “Dee” Davis Graham
Longtime Ferguson-Florissant School Principal
Dr. Graham died at her home on July 10, 2020.
After earning a Bachelor of Science Degree and a Liberal Arts Degree at SIU in Carbondale, Illinois, Dr. Graham taught English at the Laboratory School at Southern Illinois University. Later, she earned a Master’s Degree at Washington University and a Doctorate of Philosophy at Saint Louis University.
For thirty-four years, Dr. Graham made significant contributions in the field of education as teacher, counselor, and administrator. She was instrumental in earning National Recognition for School Excellence awards for McCluer North High School and Cross Keys Middle School. Furthermore while attending the Saint Louis Principal’s Academy, she was chosen to attend Harvard University’s Summer Institute designed to recognize principals who took leadership roles in school reform. She co-authored several articles and a book entitled, Curriculum Architecture, Creating a Place of Our Own. The book was donated to the National Middle School Association and used by many educators.
But Dr. Graham will best be remembered as a student advocate, one who was selected by students as being the most influential person in their lives. Students called her “Doc” Graham, friends called her “Dee.”
She was preceded in death by her father, Charles Lee Davis; mother, Bertha Hester Davis Woosley; stepfather, Kenneth S. Woosley; sister, Jessie Lee Petersen; brother, David A. Davis, and nephews, David A. Davis II and Deon Lee Davis.
Dr. Graham’s body will be donated to the National Body Donor Program of St. Louis, but her burial pillow will be located in the family plot at Mueller Hill Cemetery, Pinckneyville, Illinois.
Rest in peace my beautiful golfer friend
Dee, was a wonderful golfer and friend. she will be missed.
Gone too soon. Love you Deebird
Once my principal at McCluer North and years later I got to call her friend on and off the golf course. Biloxi won’t be the same! Miss you Doc!
Dee was a competent, committed educator who contributed greatly to the students and faculty of both McCluer and McCluer North High Schools. I am fortunate to have worked with and learned from her.
Dr. Graham you will be missed ! You had a huge family that loved you very much! RIP my friend!
Thanks for being my friend. We had a lot of good times together. I will miss you and our daily phone calls… Rest in peace
Always enjoyed playing golf with you Dee..Will miss you on Wed. I know you will be with our dear friend Peggy .
Dee will miss you on Wednesday mornings you were always fun to play golf with
Enjoyed getting to know you through golf, Dee. You were a special person and will be missed by many.
I will always treasure the pin that you gave me thank you
I will always treasure the golf pin that you gave me thank you
Will miss you my friend especially in Biloxi. RIP Dee.
Dee, You will be sorely missed. I hope to see you in our next life. Fondly, Gayla
Will miss seeing you on your walks! Always a wave…
Dee was a good friend and a woman of courage and principle.
When she was my assistant principal, I could tell her all my good and bad teaching experiences, and either way, she was always supportive and honest.
I hope she knew how much she was respected.
Dee was a administrator whom I admired for her compassion intelligence and wit in working with students and teachers. As a McCluer High School Iteacher working with her, I always admired her. I am sad that she has died.
Dee was a role model for us female teachers at McCluer North. She was caring and compassionate while blazing trails for those who aspired to be administrators. I especially recall her efforts to help the seniors in the class of ’74 fulfill their graduation requirements by providing CPU’s in English. She was definitely “a student’s principal”.
Dee hired me right out of college. We spent 30 wonderful years together in the field of education. She was so supportive and assisted me in becoming a better educator. She will be remembered fondly.