Mrs. Teresa Rideau-Graham, age 83, passed from this life on Saturday, October 29, 2011 in Sacramento, California.

Teresa Cecillia Rideau was born on October 16, 1928 in Okmulgee County, Oklahoma of Ida Elizabeth [Thierry] Rideau and John Baptiste Rideau, Sr. She was the fifth child born into this family of three brother, James L. Rideau, Bishop Hubert A. Rideau, Sr., and Frederick Rideau, as well as five sisters, Cecilia Herron, Florence M. Johnson, Veronica and Carrie Rideau and Frances Rideau-Irving, all of whom preceded her in death. She was also preceded by her parents, a brother-in-law, James Richel and a sister-in-law, Christine McClellan-Rideau.


Teresa grew up in Okmulgee, Oklahoma and attended Uganda Catholic School. She served the Catholic Church and attended others until her health began to fail her, well into her seventies.


On April 22, 1950, Teresa Cecilia Rideau was united in Holy Matrimony to Homer Graham, of Okmulgee, and their union produced nine children; four in Okmulgee and five in California. They moved from Oklahoma to Oakland, California in 1955 and then to East Palo Alto, California in the early 1960's. This is where they decided to raise their children and kept them involved in several community based activities. As a family, they traveled all over California, keeping up with family and friends. Homer preceded her in death on June 27,1978.


Teresa was a civic-minded mother, who attended all of the events her children were involved in. She was a Den Mother to the Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and the Brownie and Girl Scouts of America. She was in the PTA's of the schools that her children attended and always helped with whatever projects they brought home to work on.


Teresa leaves to cherish her memory; five sons, George Rideau, Texas, Homer Graham [Debra], East Palo Alto, California, Floyd Graham [Geneva], Stockton, California, Johnnie Graham [Jackie], Sacramento, California and Willie Graham, Sr., [Ronita], East Palo Alto, California; five daughters, Brenda Graham-Jones [Chris], Sacramento, California, Jan Graham-Harris, Sacramento, California, Sally Graham-Jordan [Darryl], Newalla, Oklahoma, Jackie Graham-Aviles, East Palo Alto, California, Evelyn Graham-Jackson [Clarence], East Palo Alto, California; her grandchildren, Bobby Graham, Christain Jones, C. Henry Jones, Thomas Jones [Brenda], Michael Andrew Powell [Jan], William Glover, Jr., Paris L. Edwards, II, Le'Ellis Edwards [Sally], Dennell and Jodell [George] Asia, Moniqueka, Maura, Clarence II, and Sara Jackson [Evelyn] Randy Parkerson [Jackie], Lisa, Melisha and Marcus [Homer] Rodney, Bryanna and Willie II Graham [Willie, Sr.]; 25 great-grandchildren; a sister, Julia Rideau-Richel, Okmulgee, Oklahoma; along with a caravan of other relatives and friends.

The final hour will be on Monday, November 7, 2011 at 1:00 P.M. at New Hope Baptist Church in Huttonville, Oklahoma. Reverend C. Maurice Baccus will officiate.


Burial will follow in Huttonville Cemetery.