Leno Grant

LENO GRANT, son of the late Mingo and Rillie Grant, was born on March 21, 1922 in Dillon, South Carolina. On May 31, 2014, after a lengthy illness, Leno departed this life; an angel of the Lord transported him to the realm of eternal peace. He was the sixth of ten children and was always surrounded by love and affection. As a result of the teachings of his strong Christian family, Leno accepted the Lord Jesus Christ at an early age and became a devoted member of Saint Stephens United Methodist Church of Dillon, South Carolina. Leno attended the public schools of Dillon County and graduated from Dillon Colored High School. He went on to college, and would later move "up-north" as many of his family and friends had done before him. He moved to Baltimore, Maryland in 1942. After settling in Baltimore, Leno joined Union Memorial United Methodist Church where he remained a faithful member until his passing. In the fall of 1944, he married the love of his life, the late Ruth Johnson of Whitmire, South Carolina. From this union seven children were born: Lendell, Joseph (who preceded him in death), Ronald, Carol, Maria, Mingo and Venida. Leno was a loving husband and father. His family was the center of his life; he devoted his time to caring for his mother, siblings and children. Leno (affectionately known as "Mr. G") was a man of many talents and full of life. After coming to Baltimore, he tried his hand at many things including working for the U.S. Coast Guard, working in construction, owning a taxi cab, opening a barber shop, and becoming a bails bondsman, just to name a few. In 1945, he began working for National Gypsum, a company that he grew to love and had a long working career. He was dedicated to his work and took pride in his job. He was a tireless worker at National Gypsum until his retirement in 1987 with over 40 years of service. He always boasted about how he never took a day off. In 1962, Leno and his nephew, Make McRae, became business partners purchasing a bar at the corner of N. Wheeler Ave. and Calverton Road. This bar became and is still known as Grant's 2 Spot Bar & Lounge. Leno was known for his famous weekend breakfast show. When you came into 2 Spot, Mr. G would always greet you with "My boy, my boy, my boy." He would always make sure that you were comfortable and felt at home. Over the years he was known to be a great mentor, confidant and friend. Leno leaves to cherish his memory: four daughters, Lendell Grant Brown, Carol Grant Castle, Maria Grant Beverly, and Venida Grant; two sons, Ronald Grant and Mingo Grant; daughter-in-law, Gwendolyn Aldridge-Grant; two sons- in-law, Richard Beverly Sr. and John Castle Jr.; 17 grandchildren four of which he raised, Russell "Mann" Johnson, LaTawnya Stallworth, Erica Wilson-Joyner and Keyana "Boo" Jones; 13 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

Tributes

Leno Grant

March 21, 1922 - May 31, 2014