Lena A. Graham, 83, of New Bedford died March 17, 2023 at St. Luke’s Hospital after a brief illness surrounded by her family.

Born in Gastonia, NC, daughter of the late Ruby Lee (Partlow) Graham and John W. Graham, Sr., she attended Reid High School in Belmont, NC before graduating from Commerce High School in Worcester, MA. She then received her Bachelor’s Degree from Livingstone College in Salisbury, NC. Lena lived in New Bedford most of her life.
She was formerly employed as a first grade teacher at H.A. Kempton School in New Bedford for 40 years until her retirement. In retirement, she enjoyed being a library assistant at Friends Academy in Dartmouth for 10 years.
She was a member of Belmont A.M.E. Zion Church in Worcester.

Lena was a lifelong member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

She enjoyed trips to Martha’s Vineyard, extensive travel to Japan and Italy, mentoring young people and spending time with her family.

The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at St. Luke’s Hospital for the care and dedication shown to Lena.
Her family remaining to forever cherish her life include her brother, John W. Graham, Jr. and his wife Nellie of Washington, DC; 3 sisters, Geneva Graham Irby of Adamsville, AL, Lucille Harris of Bowie, MD and Ramona Gardenhire of Worcester; 3 nieces, Dr. Nikki Harris, Ryann Gardenhire and Lee Gardenhire; and 4 great-nieces and nephews, Amya Chavis, Jackson Bushnell, Donovan Bushnell and Zion Bushnell.

She was the companion of the late Gerald McGrath and the sister of the late Juanita Vasquez.