7th May 1946 – 18th December 2023

Yvonne’s husband Jim Graham, daughter Rachel, son-in-law Geoff Bingham and grandchildren, David, Kathryn & Sarah Bingham would like to express their sincere gratitude to everyone who sympathised with them in their recent bereavement.

Yvonne Graham (nee Nixon) was a proud Fermanagh girl who lived in Clabby for seventy-five years until relocation to 28 Georgian Villas, Omagh. As a family we have been reminded much about Yvonne’s history in recent weeks, with family & friends recalling that she was the first Head Girl of Fivemiletown High School, loved her part time job in Alcorns Chemist in Fivemiletown, worked hard in the parish of Clabby Church of Ireland, started work in Standard Telephones and Cables in Enniskillen, joined the RUC Reserve, stationed in Fivemiletown; and later worked in the Rural Development network in Clogher and BT in Enniskillen before finally taking on her proudest role – grandmother to her adored 3 grandchildren!
Yvonne married Enniskillen man, Jim Graham, in 1970, and a powerful partnership was formed. Their decision to commit their lives to Jesus was one where their influence and partnership was most apparent. As committed members of Stonepark Baptist Church, Brookeborough, they saw the value and necessity in evangelism, hospitality and friendship. Their church work led them across Ireland and into several committee rooms of the ‘Association of Baptist Churches in Ireland’, and their many years working alongside Sligo Baptist Church also brought much joy.
Relocating to Omagh in 2022 was, in a sense, like ‘coming home’ as Yvonne knew the community well! She had opened ‘The Upper Room Christian Bookshop’ in 36a Market Street, Omagh, in 1984, spending many happy years there before selling the business to Faith Mission Bookshops. It was no surprise, however, that strong friendships had been formed by her days in the shop, and a stroll through the town always resulted in many conversations and catch-ups.
Yvonne’s sudden illness and subsequent death was a tremendous shock to all who knew her and yet, the family take great comfort that she is ‘at home’ with her Lord and Saviour. We know that Yvonne’s legacy is powerful and that she touched the lives of many.
We wish to offer sincere thanks to the medical staff at Omagh Urgent Care Complex and Ward 5 of South West Acute Hospital, who all showed exceptional care and empathy towards Yvonne and the family during Yvonne’s sudden and short illness. It would be impossible to thank each one individually, but we deeply appreciate the vital work which you do.
Our sincere thanks to Robert & Derek Armstrong, Armstrong Funeral Directors, Mountjoy Road, Omagh, for the sensitive, dignified and professional manner in which the funeral arrangements were carried out. We also thank the staff at Greenhill Cemetery, Gortin Road, Omagh, for their care and attention to detail.
We extend sincere thanks to the members of Omagh Baptist Church who provided refreshments, opened their church building to large crowds of friends, family and neighbours, and looked after us in ways too numerous to detail. We are very grateful for Pastor Robert Singleton who provided pastoral care and conducted the funeral service, and we also thank family friend, Daryl Simpson, who provided music at the service. We are also grateful for the church family at Edenderry Presbyterian Church, and the school communities of Omagh Academy & Omagh County Primary School for their encouragement and support to us in these difficult days.
It is impossible to articulate in writing the unbelievable support we have received – we are overwhelmed and humbled. We thank you for the cards, messages, visits and contributions in lieu of flowers to Baptist Missions and to Scripture Union Schools’ Project in Omagh & Castlederg. Please accept this notice as an acknowledgement of our appreciation for everyone’s care, thoughts and prayers at this time.
Yvonne’s favourite scripture verse is found in John 3 v 16: ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life’. We hope that these words will be a blessing to many.
With love and gratitude.

Jim Graham, Rachel Bingham & Family – Omagh.