Mrs. Grace L. Grant-Wilkins

Grace L. Grant-Wilkins was born in Baltimore, Maryland on November 7, 1930 to the late Regina Randall and the late Earl Thomas. She departed this life on April 16, 2024, due to complications of heart failure. Grace and her family lived in Turner Station, a suburb of Baltimore City. She had many memorable days in Turner Station, and it was there that she met her future husband and childhood friend Frederick W. Grant. Later, after moving to Baltimore City, Grace received her GED from Frederick Douglass High School in 1948. She married Frederick Grant and of this union, their children, son Frederick, daughters, Fredrica and Marsha. The family moved to the Gilmore projects in Baltimore City during the early 1950’s. Grace became a single parent after the divorce of her husband, and she raised her three children on her own. At that time, single parenting was a difficult job and employment was scarce for Black women. Grace worked as elevator operator at S&N Katz jewelry store on Howard St. and brought her youngest to work with her on Saturdays as babysitters were not in the budget. Grace applied for a factory job at Maryland Glass as an assembly line worker. The work was harsh and tedious, and sometimes she had to leave her children home alone during bad weather in the winter. Although this was tough, she would often call home to check on them and let them know she cared. Grace was strict but she knew this was necessary to keep her children safe and give them a chance at a better life. Grace loved the nightlife of Baltimore City. She would meet with her sisters, Regina, and Anne, for night outings. Grace and Regina, born on the same day, would celebrate their birthdays together at various establishments in Baltimore. The sisters, Grace, Regina, and Ann, were well known in the city and attended many social gatherings and frequented The Place, owned, and operated by their mother, Regina Randall. Grace loved jazz and soul music. She was a member of the Left Bank Jazz Society and she often traveled to New York City and other places to attend jazz concerts. Every year she attended the Cape May Jazz Festival. She often listened to jazz in her apartment and entertained a few friends with spirits and appetizers. Grace loved Marvin Gaye. She was heartbroken when Marvin Gaye passed away. Her favorite album was “What’s Going On” and she knew all the lyrics. Grace met her second husband, Stewart Wilkins in 1978 and they married in 1980. She remained married to Stewart until his death in 1981. Grace retired from Maryland Glass in the mid-1980’s and became employed as a bartender at Baltimore’s historic Pimlico Racetrack until her second retirement in 1991. Grace was an avid newspaper reader and enjoyed the New York Times, New York Daily Post, and The Star. Grace lived at One West Conway Street in downtown Baltimore for 32 years until her recent death. She will be missed by her neighbors in the building with whom she took trips to Fort Avenue for shopping and lunches. Grace is preceded in death by her mother, Regina Randall, beloved son, Frederick C. Grant, sisters, Regina T. Simmons and Katherine A. Bush, and a nephew, Craig D. Simmons. Grace leaves to cherish, daughters: Fredrica R. Grant and Marsha E. Grant Mack (Donald); daughter-in-law Lavone Grant; granddaughters, Monique S. Boyd, Alex R. Craft, Yasmin A. Grant, Imani L. Chiusano (Aaron); great grandsons, Damian (DJ) Jones II, Xavier Chiusano; great granddaughters Jordan G. Jones, Rileigh M. Boyd; great-great daughter, Taylor R. Jones, Nieces; Deborah A. Drumgole (Titus) , Sherri L. Simmons (Robert), Stacy Hunter (Larry), Kamaria Fullwood (Terrell), Maya Simmons and a host of loving great nieces and nephews. Also, a lifetime of many friends over the years. Special thanks to caregiver, Pamela Brown and special friend and neighbor Ms. Linda Smith-Bey.

Tributes

Mrs. Grace L. Grant-Wilkins

November 7, 1930 - April 16, 2024