Judge Graham Partlow

Circuit Judge (retired) Graham Partlow, age 84, of Blytheville, Arkansas, died July 6, 2016, at NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital in Jonesboro.

Judge Partlow is survived by his wife of 61 years, Delia Shippen Partlow; four children, Laura Partlow Foster (Mrs. John) of West Memphis, Dr. Charles Graham Partlow and his wife, Ruth, of Columbia, SC, Marguerite (Peggy) Partlow Cameron (Mrs. Jack) of Brandon, MS, and Elizabeth Partlow Grimes (Mrs. Jeffery) of Florence, MS; seven grandchildren, and five great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Patricia Partlow (Mrs. John) Williams of Jackson, MS.

Judge Partlow was preceded in death by his parents, Circuit Judge H.G. Partlow and Martha Lillian Partlow, sister, Nancy Partlow Nunn, and brothers-in-law, Marvin N. Nunn and John O. Williams.

He was an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Blytheville and served on a number of committees including service as chairman of the administrative board and board of trustees.

He graduated from Blytheville High School in 1949 and attended the University of Arkansas, graduating in 1954 with a Juris Doctorate of Laws degree. While at the university, he was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity, Delta Theta Phi Legal Fraternity, Scabbard & Blade Society, and the Razorback Club.

He was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army in 1953 and upon graduation, entered into active duty where he served two years. Upon his release from active duty, Judge Partlow continued serving in the U.S. Army Reserves until he received his Honorable Discharge in 1968.

Judge Partlow served as Circuit Judge for the Second Judicial District, comprised of Mississippi, Greene, Clay, Craighead, Poinsett, and Crittenden counties for 23 years prior to his retirement and continued to serve occasionally when called upon. He was a member of the Arkansas Judicial Council and served as President of the Arkansas Judicial Council from 1997-98. He was appointed to and served on the committee that drafted the Judicial Code of Conduct for members of the Arkansas judiciary. Judge Partlow also served on the Arkansas Supreme Court Committee that governed court reporters and on the Arkansas Supreme Court Child Support Committee.

Prior to his election to the bench, Judge Partlow served as Blytheville city attorney, deputy prosecuting attorney in Mississippi County, the attorney for the Mississippi County Water District, and in private practice with John Mayes in Blytheville.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 9, 2016, at 3:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Blytheville, AR. The brothers of Sigma Chi Fraternity will conduct a White Rose ceremony at the service. Burial will be private. The family will receive visitors at First United Methodist Church in Blytheville after the memorial service.

The family requests that memorials be made to the First United Methodist Church, 701 W. Main Street, Blytheville, AR 72315; the Mississippi County Library, 200 N. 5th Street, Blytheville, AR 72315; ANC Foundation Scholarship in Memory of Judge Graham Partlow, 2591 S. Division, ATTN: Rachel Gifford, Blytheville, AR 72315; or a charitable cause of the donor's choice. Cobb Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.