Karalee Christine (Dorisse) Graves

Karalee Christine Graves went home to be with Jesus surrounded by her loving husband, Bill and two daughters, Jamie and Katelyn. Karalee was born to Fred and Pat Dorisse on September 7, 1972, in Enid, Oklahoma. She grew up and lived in Billings, Oklahoma, Springfield, Missouri, Great Falls, Montana, and Kokomo, Indiana, being blessed by many wonderful people and places.

As to her immediate family, Karalee was married to William Graves at First Christian Church in Kokomo on July 7, 1996. Together, they gave birth to two daughters, Jamie and Katelyn, the joy of their lives. In the family’s words, “Karalee was the glue that held the family together.” They said of her, “She was a social butterfly, kind, faithful, loving, and sassy!” She enjoyed crocheting, gardening, pool volleyball, karaoke, singing, line dancing, playing the piano, spring breaks, going to the beach, traveling with family, marveling the hummingbirds, finches, and monarch butterflies, Mom’s Day and tailgates at Ball State University, and celebrating holidays with family. They all noted, “She was passionate about putting others before herself.”

As to her vocation, Karalee was called to teach. She graduated from Northwestern High School and from Indiana University at Kokomo with a degree in elementary education with an endorsement in kindergarten and special education. Her teaching career began at Bona Vista after which she was hired on at the Northwestern School Corporation, teaching kindergarten at Howard Elementary School and in recent years resourcing special education with middle and high school students. During her twenty three years with Northwestern she was involved with the Student Council, Music Appreciation Club, National Jr. Honors Society, and was a representative to the Indiana State Teachers Union. For Karalee teaching was not just letters and numbers; it was loving every child and student by encouraging them to follow their dreams.

Karalee was baptized into Christ and the Church at Central Christian Church in Great Falls, Montana and lived her life as a faithful Christian and disciple of Christ. Her faith was shaped by her formative years in church school and worship, youth group, church camp, and campus ministry. In mission, she participated in “God’s Love We Deliver,” taking meals to people on the fringe in New York City, and through Project 117 she went to Haiti, helping to build a school for children. Being an active member and children’s teacher at South Creek Church, she participated in a women’s Bible study group and was a leader in the interdenominational ministries of the Great Banquet, The Awakening, and The Way. For Karalee, Christ was her life and putting others before herself was a way of life.

Karalee is survived by her husband, William Graves; daughters, Jamie (Jayden) Graves-Davis, Katelyn Graves, Greentown; a “bonus daughter” Bela Andreassa, Brazil; father and mother, Fred and Patricia Dorisse, Kokomo; sister, Michelle Dorisse, Kokomo; brother, Paul (Megan) Dorisse, Galveston; nephews and nieces, Jace, Kai, and Ayla Jackson, Kokomo, Chandler Dorisse, Aubrey, Brenna, and Cohen McClain, Galveston; mother-in-law, Cathy McClain, Kokomo; father-in-law, Nick (Debbie) Graves,

Russiaville; sister-in-law, Dyan (Jeff) Noe, Greentown; nephews and nieces, Brittnea (Andrew) Renbarger, Marion, Raigan Noe, Russiaville; great-nieces and nephews, Hazel and Noble Renbarger, Marion; and a large extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Karalee was preceded in death by a nephew, Dalton Noe; grandparents, Ray and Alva Doris, Willard and Mildred Welke, Marilyn and Neldon Lightle, Ted Graves, and Russel and Thelma White.

Friends are invited to visit with the family from 1 pm to 3 pm Saturday October 4, 2025, at South Creek Church of God, 5937 South Park Road, Kokomo, IN 46902. A memorial service celebrating Karalee’s life will begin 3 pm on Saturday October 4, 2025, at the church with Pastor Aaron Perry officiating. A link will be available at the bottom of Karalee’s obituary page to view the service live at 3 pm on Saturday.

In lieu of flowers, the family is establishing Karalee’s Faithful Warrior Scholarship for graduates of Northwestern High School pursuing vocations in education. Memorial gifts can be made to the Community Foundation, 215 W. Sycamore St., Kokomo, IN 46901. Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory has been entrusted with arrangements.

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