Lindsey and Darline Graham grew up in Central, South Carolina, under the care of their parents, F.J. and Millie Graham. The family resided in a one-room house located behind their parents’ business, the Sanitary Café. This establishment functioned as a restaurant, bar, pool room, and liquor store on Main Street.
Tragedy struck the siblings when F.J. and Millie passed away within 15 months of each other while Lindsey was attending the University of Southern California. Following their deaths, Lindsey assumed the role of Darline’s legal guardian. This guardianship allowed her to benefit from military perks when Lindsey joined the Air Force as a military lawyer.
Reflecting on the day their father died, Darline recalled her fear and how Lindsey comforted her. “I can remember the day my father passed away, standing in that house absolutely scared to death,” she recounted when Lindsey announced his presidential campaign in 2016. “Lindsey wrapped his arms around me and promised me that he would always be there for me and always take care of me.”
In a conversation with Dana Bash from CNN, Darline expressed that even while their parents were alive, Lindsey took on a caregiving role due to their parents’ demanding work schedule. “Even when my parents were alive, they worked really long, hard hours running a small business. So even then, he was a caregiver to me,” she shared.
When asked about who would act as the first lady if needed, Lindsey mentioned that Darline “could play that role if necessary.”
