Edwin “Ed” Lloyd Gravenstein, Jr.
March 18, 1948 – November 3, 2025
The funeral service for Edwin “Ed” Lloyd Gravenstein Jr., age 77, of Cairo, GA, will be held at First Baptist Church of Cairo, GA, on Sunday, November 9th . The family will receive friends in the Fellowship Hall beginning at 1:30, with service starting at 2:30. Services will conclude at the church. The family will have a private interment service.
Mr. Gravenstein was born into a military family on March 18, 1948, in Savannah, GA, to the late Edwin Lloyd Gravenstein, Sr. and Ruby Lee DeLoach Gravenstein. As his father was career military, he traveled and lived overseas, including England and Taiwan (then Formosa.)
Edwin “Ed” Gravenstein, a devoted family man and respected professional from Cairo, Georgia, passed away from his battle with Alzheimer’s. Known for his strong leadership, lifelong commitment to the community, and a career devoted to education and public service, and his church, Ed leaves behind a close-knit family and a legacy of service in Grady County.
Ed’s life was defined by his dedication to education, his investment in those around him, and his unconditional love for the people he served in the community. Ed’s spiritual life was defined by a deep devotion to his LORD through service to his Church. He found rich meaning in his roles as an ordained deacon, committee member, a dedicated Sunday school teacher, and a choir member.
Ed worked for the Grady County school system for many years, earning recognition from colleagues and county officials. Throughout his career, he was known as an advocate for both teachers’ and students’ success. When looking back on his career, Ed said, “I think educators get into the teaching profession because they want to make a positive difference in the lives of children.” He would regularly tell parents in his newsletter that “children are a message that we send into a future we will never see. It’s important that the messages we send be wiser and smarter than us, full of hope and void of prejudice.” As a principal, he said, “I saw my job as one of facilitating a safe, clean, and positive learning environment for children.” Ed worked hard to build trust and camaraderie among his teaching staff and earned a reputation for always putting the needs of teachers and students above his own.
Outside of his professional life, Ed could be found enjoying golfing, hunting, and woodworking. Ed would also spend hours at home unwinding at his workbench, making unique canes from trees that he found along riverbanks and at the family farm in Pelham, which had been encased in vines, creating a twisted appearance. Ed found great joy in gifting the hand-hewn canes to anyone in need.
Family was the center of Ed’s life. He was the beloved husband, a proud father, and a grandfather. Ed’s warmth, sense of humor (even jokes on himself), and steady presence are remembered most by those who knew him best.
Survivors include: his wife of 51 years, Cheryl Smith Gravenstein of Cairo, GA; children, Edwin “Trey” Gravenstein, III (Ashley) of Clermont, FL, Laura Varnadore (Payton) of Peachtree City, GA; grandchildren, Caleb Varnadore, Andrew Varnadore, Benjamin Varnadore, all of Peachtree City, GA, Caden Gravenstein, Delaney Gravenstein, both of Clermont, FL; brother-in-law, James R. Smith, Jr. (Patty) of Ashland, Virginia; sister-in-law, Mary Ruth Murdoch (John) of Wind Gap, PA; and nieces and nephews, Kyle Smith (Caroline), Jenny Smith, Eleanor Harowicz (Jonathan), Sarah Murdoch, Annie Murdoch. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Memorials may be made in Mr. Gravenstein’s memory to: First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 1538, Cairo, GA 39828.
