Jeri Heins Graves

On Saturday, December 2nd , 2023, beloved mother, wife, sister, and friend, Jeri Heins Graves passed away peacefully in her Winchester, Virginia home at the age of 70. She was born on February 25th , 1953, in Union City, New Jersey to Virginia Frauenheim and Herbert Heins, Sr. The family moved south not long after, so Jeri grew up near the shore in Toms River, New Jersey. Although a big family of 12, they never missed a chance to get to the water and Jeri acquired a life-long love for the beach from a young age. She would never miss an opportunity to enjoy the sun and sand. Born a middle child, Jeri had an infectious energy which made her ever ready for adventure, her younger siblings in tow. She took them on escapades to the park, the church, and of course the beach, and later went cruising with them around town in her favorite yellow Dodge Rambler. Jeri was always on the go and was known for being unable to stay still for long! She travelled extensively in her younger years, living in Vermont, where she learned to race snowmobiles, and even moving to California for a time. Coast to coast, but never far from her favorite place, the beach. Eventually, she decided to join her many siblings who had settled in Northern Virginia, outside Washington, DC. There her infectious energy drew the attention of her devoted husband Paul. They fell in love and were together for 38 years, getting married in June of 1988 at a beautiful ceremony in Alexandria, Virginia. Adventurous as she was, Jeri was also known for her nurturing and empathetic spirit. She always dreamed of being a mother someday and never missed an opportunity to provide encouragement and support to anyone she came across. In 1987, Jeri and Paul were blessed with the first of their two wonderful children, Kati, and four years later came their son, Nick. There were many more years of escapades to the pool, to the fair, and of course to the beach, now with her kids, nieces, and nephews in tow. Jeri was well-loved by everyone in their Herndon, Virginia neighborhood and thought of as a second mother by many of her children’s friends, many of whom lovingly referred to her as Mama G. Her cooking was infamous (especially her spaghetti sauce!) and she always had room at her table. The kitchen was the heart of her home, which she centered around good food, full bellied laughter, and an abundance of love. Jeri was driven and ambitious all her life. In high school, she worked three jobs just to get her first car! After graduating [Tom’s River High School] in 1971, she completed dental hygienist school in her twenties, and later earned her associate degree in Computer Networking while raising two children. Jeri eventually retired after working as a manager for the United States Geological Survey mailroom where she supervised and mentored disabled adults. She was absolutely adored by her staff, due in no small part to her ability to patiently teach and kindly lead—qualities known well to her friends and family. Jeri is survived by her husband, Paul A. Graves, daughter Virginia Catherine (Kati) Heins Thompson, son Jonathan Nicholas (Nick) Graves, siblings Herbert Heins Jr., Joyce Ferrara, Paula Talarek, Paulette Heins, Paul Heins, Susan Wolen, Heather Heins, Alexis Heins, and Wendy Minor, grandson Liam Jacobson, and granddaughter Olivia Johnson-Graves. She was preceded in death by her grandson Julius Jacobson-Graves. Services will be held Sunday, December 17th, 2023 at 3 p.m. at Phelps Funeral Home located at 311 Hope Drive, Winchester, Virginia 22601. In lieu of flowers, the Graves family requests donations in Jeri’s name be made to Blue Ridge Hospice through their website (http://brhospice.org/donate/) or via mail at 333 W. Cork Street #405, Winchester, VA 22601. Jeri was cared for dearly in her last few months by Blue Ridge Hospice, and they would love to have her memory honored.

Jeri Heins Graves

February 25, 1953 - December 2, 2023