Dallas E. Gravette, 85, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 24, 2023, at Virginia Hospital Center holding the hand of his daughter, Jeanine Gravette.

Dallas was born on January 8, 1938, in Arlington, Virginia to Armstead Gravette and Ruby Faggins. He was the oldest of the two children born to Armstead and Ruby. His brother, Howard "Bubby" Gravette was the youngest. Dallas and Howard also had four half siblings on their father's side, Deborah "Debbie" Gravette, Armstead Gravette, Eugene Gravette, and Earl Gravette.

Dallas was raised in Halls Hill, where he loved dancing, late night sleigh rides, playing pool at Halls Hill Pool Hall, and watching the Turkey Bowl with his family and friends.

Dallas joined the United States Air Force in 1956. He was stationed at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas where he was a metal worker, who worked on military aircrafts.

In 1965, he met his wife Jewel B. Gravette. They were joined in Holy Matrimony on June 28, 1969. From their union four children were raised: Jeanine Gravette, Carl Gravette, Julie Alisa Goggins, and Dallas Eric Gravette. Dallas also has three sons: Christopher Lucas, from a previous relationship, and Ervin Gravette and Dallas Gravette from his previous marriage.

Dallas and Jewel, who were together for 58 years, enjoyed annual trips to Ocean City, Maryland. His first stop on the trip would be to Thrasher's French Fries. The couple also loved traveling to Cancun and Jamaica.

A close second to his love for his wife Jewel was his love of cars. In 1971, Dallas purchased a 1937 Chevy Hot Rod that he worked on for many years. The car, which his wife nicknamed "Nellie", was his pride and joy. He would drive the car on the weekends and to car shows with his friends.

On his 35th birthday in 1973, Dallas became one of the first African American mechanics to be hired by the Fairfax County Department of Vehicle Services-Jermantown. He worked in the Vehicle Services Department until he retired in 1995. He went on to work as a chauffeur for Escort Limousine, Inc. from 1987 to 2015. He enjoyed getting dressed up in his tuxedo and driving to weddings, proms, and other special events. From there, he went on to work as a Row Back Driver at Ted Britt Ford in Fairfax, Virginia from 1998 to 2003. His last place of employment was the Gesher Jewish Day School where he worked as a school bus driver from 2007 to 2011.

Dallas was friendly and loved talking to everyone, even strangers. He saw the good in everyone. He also loved food, especially sweets. He was diabetic so his wife and daughter, Jeanine would monitor his eating. That did not stop him from sneaking out to his favorite fast-food places such as Five Guys, Weenie Beanie, McDonald's, Corner Bakery, and Santini's. Although he thought he was sneaking, he'd get busted every time because his wife would find the receipts in his pockets when she was doing laundry. He also enjoyed having meals when he visited family and friends. Thanksgiving Day was one of his favorite holidays because he could eat whatever he wanted but then he would eat so much that eventually his family would have to cut him off.

Dallas was a man of strong faith, who loved the Lord with all his heart. He was a member of the Heritage Fellowship Church in Reston, Virginia for over 20 years. While there, he was an active member of the Tuesday Men's Bible Study, Wednesday Noon Day Bible Study, and the God Sent Quartet. Some of his favorite gospel groups included the Mighty Clouds of Joy and The Blind Boys of Alabama. He joined the Winchester Grace Brethren Church. He was a member for several years. In addition to attending church, he faithfully read his Bible and watched Charles Stanley.

His parents, Armstead Gravette and Ruby Faggins; his brother, Howard "Buddy" Gravette; and his son, Ervin Gravette, and sister Deborah "Debbie" Gravette preceded him in death.

Dallas is survived by his lovely and devoted wife Jewel B. Gravette; children, Jeanine Gravette, Carl Gravette, Julie Alisa Goggins, Dallas Eric Gravette, Christopher Lucas, and Dallas Gravette; siblings, Armstead Gravette, Eugene Gravette, and Earl Gravette; granddaughter, Nya Jewel Gravette and a host of other grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.