LaBonita Graves, 64, of Temple Hills, Maryland

LaBonita Graves, daughter of the late Jean Choate Graves and Lewis D. Graves, was born on August 18, 1960 in Washington, D.C. LaBonita was affectionately known to many as Bonita, Neda and La-La. On Friday, January 17, 2025, LaBonita departed this life and entered into the presence of the Lord, where she is free from sickness and pain.

LaBonita grew up in the Marshall Heights Community of Southeast, Washington, D.C., where she established her roots and built a deep connection to the community. It's in the heart of the city that she also created lifelong friendships and established her career. LaBonita graduated from H.D. Woodson High School in 1978 and was employed with the Bureau of Engraving and Printing from 2001 until her retirement in September 2024. LaBonita loved deeply and gave generously. Her affection for her family and friends knew no bounds. On her best days, you could count on a phone call to check on you, her showing up at every event, ready to celebrate with gifts and a dish prepared with love. The thing that made her special, is she did the exact same acts of kindness and generosity on her worst days. She truly found joy in celebrating birthdays, graduations, baby showers, holidays and gatherings with family and friends. She was well known for her many signature dishes, to include her famous meatballs and pot roast. She loved shopping and finding department store deals with her dear friend Joyce (Chubby). You'd often find her on adventures, trying the area's best restaurants, taking road trips with Earl and her mom (Jean) before her transition, or visiting family in North Carolina. She was the absolute best gift giver and had a unique way of making you feel special. Not much time could pass without LaBonita coming up with a reason to gather, celebrate and just enjoy time together. You could count on her asking things like, "What's on the menu?", "What are you cooking?", "What are you going to wear?" or "What's happening this weekend?" She would fill your heart with laughter, with her bold statements, questions and interesting stories.

We will miss her calls, her words of wisdom, her big presence, her smile and her love. LaBonita, our social butterfly, a lover of life, a giver with an infectious spirit and a captivating personality – she will live in our hearts forever.

LaBonita leaves to cherish her memory, her father, Lewis D. Graves; her life partner, Earl Thorne, her God children, Bennisha Lucas, Antwann Green, Christian West and Malachi Epps, her Godmother Annie Lyons and other host of beloved family and friends. God saw the road getting rough and the hills getting hard to climb, so He gently closed her eyes and whispered, "Come on home, my child".

Viewing, 10:00 a.m., Saturday, February 8, 2025, until time of Service, 11:00 a.m., at Fort Washington Christian Church, 10900 Indian Head Highway #2, Fort Washington, Maryland 20744. Interment, Lincoln Memorial Cemetery, 4001 Suitland Road, Suitland, MD 20746.