Mary Elizabeth Grandy

MARY ELIZABETH GRANDY was born on December 17, 1927, in Raleigh, North Carolina. She departed this life on Monday, March 13, 2023, after a long illness. She was the youngest of two daughters born to the late Robert Alfred Allen and Ethel Victoria Allen. In 1950 she married Jesse Grandy. From that union, they had four children: Jesse Grandy Jr., Sharon Grandy-Gay, Michael Grandy, and Charles Grandy. They were married for 48 years when Jesse Grandy, Sr. died in 1998. Mary Elizabeth was educated in the public school system of Wake County, North Carolina. She attended Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina as an English major with a minor in French. She received her bachelor’s degree from Shaw University, and in 1943 her family moved to Baltimore, Maryland, where she went on to become a middle school English Teacher in the Baltimore City Public School System. The first school Mary taught at in the Baltimore Public School System was school #453, Fairmont Hill Junior High School, and later upon receiving her master’s degree in special education from Coppin State College, she went on to become a high school Special Education English Teacher at Patterson Senior High School in Baltimore City where she retired from teaching June 23, 1992, after nearly thirty years of teaching. Mary, affectionately called “Lil Bit,” a childhood nickname given to her, by some of her senior family members, was dearly loved and highly respected by her family, friends, and all who knew her. She was a devout Christian who loved praying, worshiping God, and giving praise and thanks to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for the many blessings in her life. Mary was a very strong, devoted mother who loved her family and did all she could to help, teach, motivate, and inspire others. She had a variety of interests and skills. She loved reading the bible, singing in the church choir, playing the church piano as a young adult, dancing, traveling with family and friends, attending live theater, watching I ’m Free Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free, I’m following the path God laid for me. I took His hand when I heard Him call, I turned my back and left it all. I could not stay another day, To laugh, to love, to work or play; Tasks left undone must stay that way, I found that place at the close of day. If my parting has left a void, Then fill it with remembered joy. A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss, Ah, yes, these things I too will miss. Be not burdened with times of sorrow, I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow. My life’s been full, I savored much, Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch. Perhaps my time seemed all too brief, don’t lengthen it now with undue grief. Lift up your heart and share with me, God wanted me now, He set me free. movie dramas, food, and clothes shopping, and hosting many holiday and weekend family meal gatherings. Mary was so respected, admired and loved by her family and friends during the time that she was here on this earth. We will greatly miss our beloved mother, Mary Elizabeth. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Ethel Allen; sister, Lilly Allen; son, Charles Grandy. She is survived by: her sons, Jesse Grandy Jr. and Michael Grandy; daughter, Sharon Gay; grandchildren, David Gay, Jeffrey Gay, Wesley Gay, Tammera Gay and Annastacia Gay; and a host of other relatives and friends.

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Mary Elizabeth Grandy

December 17, 1927 - March 13, 2023