Garland Smith Gravatt, 83, of Milford died Thursday June 9, 2011.

He was born on Oct. 19, 1927, in Caroline County and was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Gravatt Sr. Mr. Gravatt was a 1949 graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute, majoring in agronomy. He was an outstanding athlete, served in the Corps of Cadets and was commissioned in the U.S. Army shortly after graduation.

In 1950, he met and married Elizabeth Dawideit of Saginaw, Mich., and enjoyed 53 years of marriage until her death in 2003. Together they worked to build the family's hardware business, G&G Ace Hardware, and raise their four children.

As an artillery officer in the Army, he served in a variety of command and staff billets. He and his wife left the Army and returned to Virginia to raise their family. Garland was dedicated not only to his family but also to his community. He was a member of the Caroline County School Board for 17 years and served as chairman. He was active with Habitat for Humanity and was a member of St. Asaph's Episcopal Church for more than 50 years. In 1999, he was honored by the Caroline Chamber of Commerce as "Business Person of the Year."

Survivors include his four children, Garland S. Gravatt Jr. (and Dana), Allen F. Gravatt (and Shelley), William W. Gravatt (and Sherry) and Elizabeth Gravatt Ferrer (and Robert); a brother, Robert Lewis Gravatt Jr.; a sister, Nancy Jane Gravatt Tucker; in-laws Duval and Anne Dickinson; and 11 grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 12, in Lakewood Cemetery, Bowling Green. The family will receive friends at St. Asaph's Episcopal Church following the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Asaph's Episcopal Church, Access for Everyone, Box 1178, Bowling Green Va. 22427.

Sign register book online at storkefuneralhome.com.