in Los Angeles, California where she cared for her mother. On October 10, 2002, Graves' home caught fire due to a space heater. Graves was found unconscious in a bedroom before being rushed to the hospital where she later died. She was 54 years old. Acting roles Awards and nominations References External links 1948 births 2002 deaths 20th-century American actresses Accidental deaths in California Actresses from Texas 20th-century African-American women singers Converts to Jehovah's Witnesses American Jehovah's Witnesses American women pop singers Deaths from fire in the United States Musicians from Houston Traditional pop music singers African-American actresses American television actresses American film actresses American sketch comedians 20th-century American women singers 20th-century American singers 21st-century African-American people 21st-century African-American women United Service Organizations entertainers