Frances “Matt” Graves has lived in Syria, Virginia most of his life. He grew up on a Dairy Farm with his family and was one of four children. Matt enlisted in the Air Force before graduation and was a Gunner on a B-17 from 1943-1947 during WWII.
Dr. Graves used the GI Bill to attend college after the Air Force and attend VPI for 5 years and Texas A&M for 4 years and received his DVM, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.
Dr. Graves returned back to Madison, VA and opened his Veterinary practice for large and small animals until he retired in his late 80’s. He has 4 sons, 8 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.
He has a long-time companion, Ann Browning for over 30 plus years, that he met at Garden Gate in Stoneybrook. During his downtime loves to read and listen to “good” music. Dr. Graves has been interviewed several times and one of his statements quoted in the Richmond Times stated “If you enjoy what you are doing, it’s not work” which is a wonderful motto to live by!