Veta L. Greig

VETA LANSDOWNE GREIG departed this life on Tuesday, May 9, 2006. She was ninety-six years old at the time of her death. The daughter of Henry and Roslyn Lansdowne, Veta was born in Port Antonia, Jamaica, West Indies in 1909. She was affectionately known to many family members and friends as "Aunt Veta". Veta married James Steadman in 1932 and celebrated more than fifty years of marriage until his death. Also preceding her in death was her brother, Henry Lansdowne and sister, Inez Blackstone. Veta and sister, Inez, came to this country as teenagers and attended the Douglass Normal High School, from which she graduated. While attending Douglass she participated in many activities and was a member of their basketball team. Upon graduation she attended Coppin State College and received a Bachelor's Degree in Education. After graduation, she relocated to New York where she pursued and received a degree in business. In 1932 Veta married James "Uncle Stead"; they lived in Baltimore and were married more than 50 years until his death in 1982. Veta taught in the Baltimore public school system for many years. However, the entrepreneurial spirit of the couple led them to purchase and manage two neighborhood grocery stores for more than a decade. In later years, she continued her employment with the State of Maryland, from which she retired twenty-seven years ago. For almost a century, Veta Greig was a communicant at the St. James Episcopal Church. She dedicated herself to serving our Lord as a faithful member and an active participant in the Altar Guild. She took every opportunity to participate and support the church in many other activities as well. Veta devoted her time and talents to her beloved sorority Iota Chapter, Lambda Kappa Mu Sorority, Inc. As a soror, she often exercised her competent skills as a toastmaster. Veta was a disciplined, private and hard-working woman with many talents which she often shared with others. Giving and helping others was a gift she shared all her life. She especially poured her love into her two grandchildren Ronald and Arielle. She was a philanthropist and freely gave to organizations within and outside of Maryland, and in Jamaica, her home. To family members she was an "historian". Veta could share family history dating back to her life in Jamaica. She was an avid gardener, an excellent seamstress and a world traveler. After retirement, Veta remained active by becoming a member of a bowling team. She was a wiz at cards and enjoyed attending card parties. Veta was a cultured, passionate and dignified person with a unique and strong personality. Her self-discipline and commitment to every task presented was evident throughout her life. She was a realist, with a healthy view of living. Veta maintained a sense of humanity and maintained a sense of humor throughout her life. She often told visitors and friends that she was "the oldest person she'd ever known". Her mantra was simple "I am in no pain, I am just old". In recent years, Veta resided at the Clam Doll Assisted Living facility where she received constant and loving care until her peaceful homegoing. Her life was a testament to growing old in style, beauty, courage and faith. Veta's life shall always be remembered by her loving daughter, Diana; beloved grandchildren, Ronald and Arielle Samuels; cousins, Egbert (Betty) Dyce, Samuel (Marion) Myers, Evadney McRae, Austin Dyce, and Lloyd (Mary) Scarlotte; The Greig Family; along with a host of relatives, church members and friends. Special acknowledgement goes to her cousin Randolph Myers, who also departed this life on May 9, 2006.

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Veta L. Greig

October 12, 1909 - May 9, 2006