Alma Graham, 67, of Creston died Monday, Nov. 12, 2018, at her home.
A memorial service will be 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 20, at Pearson Family Funeral Service and Cremation Center, 809 W. Montgomery St., in Creston. The Rev. Mary O'Riley will officiate. Memorial contributions may be directed to Lions Club of Creston, National Kidney Foundation – Iowa Chapter or DaVita Dialysis Center at Greater Regional Health. Online condolences may be left at www.pearsonfuneralhomes.com.
Alma Louise (Leighton) Graham, daughter of George and Florence Evelyn (Babbitt) Leighton, was born March 4, 1951, in Maine. When Alma was 2 years old, her father died. Florence married Everett L. Bickford, and he became Alma’s stepfather. Alma graduated from Sumner Memorial High School with the class of 1969.
In 1973, Alma graduated from University of Maine with a bachelor’s degree in English. Following her college graduation, Alma moved to Kansas City and worked for three years as a Vista volunteer, helping clean up after a natural disaster, and also worked in a group home. In the early 1980s, Alma moved to Creston and worked for Union County Extension as a rural farm aide. Then she worked in a group home, until she became the manager for Sears Credit Services. After several years at Sears, Alma began working for H&R Block.
On Dec. 22, 1991, Alma married William Robert Graham in Orient. In 1997, Alma earned her certification as an Iowa Certified Public Accountant. William and Alma divorced in 2015, and Alma continued to work as an accountant for H&R Block, where she was still employed. She also worked seasonally for Wal-Mart for a year.
Alma was a member of Creston Lions Club.
Alma is survived by her brother Lee Leighton of San Francisco, California; half-sister Sharon (George) DeFries of Raymore, Missouri; nephew Nick (wife Melissa Tarbox) DeFries of Portland, Maine; several cousins, other relatives and friends.
Alma was preceded in death by her father George and mother and stepfather, Florence and Everett Bickford.