Biography: “Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled: Ye Believe In God, Believe Also In Me. In My Fathers’ House Are Many Mansions: If It Were Not So, I Would Have Told You. I Go To Prepare A Place For You.” —John 14:1-2
On Friday, June 4, 2021, our beloved Mother Ruth A. Grant, transitioned from this life and was called from her labor to reward. Ruth A. Grant, the eldest child of the late Wayman and Eula Mae Wilson, was born on January 17, 1940 in Garnett, South Carolina. Both parents preceded her in death.
Ruth (affectionately called “Boot”) was educated in the Garnett public school system. At an early age she accepted Christ into her heart. In 1955 at the tender age of fifteen, she met the love of her life; eighteen year old, Franklin R. Grant. On December 15th 1957, they were united in holy matrimony. From this union which lasted 53 years they were blessed with seven children: James, Jeffrey, Diane, Patricia, Robert, Michael and Mark. In 1958, they relocated to New York City and eventually settled in Harlem, New York. Together their legacy was catapulted by the addition of thirteen grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.
Ruth was a faithful wife and devoted mother, who dedicated and served her family with great joy and gladness. The love and faithfulness she committed to rearing her children could never be summed up in mere words. Not only was she an exceptional wife and mother she was also a “phenomenal” cook and baker. She used her impeccable culinary skills to feed others in her community who found themselves in need. Ruth’s homemade biscuits was a major treat for her children, along with her delectable sweet potato pies which were known as “the best tasting pies hands down.”
Her love and concern for the Christian growth and development of her children was most important to her. With so many children to tend to it would have been easy to sit them in front of the television. Instead she turned off the television and taught her children the ways of the Lord through songs such as ‘Oh Happy Day”. Laughter, joy, love and togetherness abided in her home as serving the Lord was forefront.
Once her last child was off to school, she found gainful employment with Block Drug Pharmaceutical, as a machinist. Much later, she became a dependable and trust-worthy home health aide assisting and providing quality care to the elderly. During the blizzard of “1996,” she waited for two hours for a bus, just to ensure that her elderly patient was not alone giving an example of her immeasurable dedication.
Her spiritual life continued to flourish at Bethany Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Robert W. Wright III. There she served as a member of the Deaconess Board. She was a true worker in the house of the Lord and willingly with a spirit of excellence performed any tasks needed. Ruth loved listening to church hymns, “good singing” and attending gospel concerts. A few of her favorites were “Fix it Jesus, “I’ve Learned to Lean” and “I Can’t Give Up.” One of her dearest songs was “When The Gates Swing Open”. She would listen to this song repeatedly as it was taught to her by her late father as a child!
While she had several hobbies, she mostly loved to shop and travel. Her favorite destination was the Bahamas. Ruth loved sharing her experiences growing up as a young girl in South Carolina. Her children loved to hear the stories of her milking cows, driving the tractor and life on the farm. She shared the stories with her city bred children as she taught them to clean together. Ruth was passionate about cleaning as if it were a lost art. She loved a clean house as she often reminded her children that “cleanliness is next to godliness!”
Ruth was loyal in all her relationships, went the extra mile and didn’t quit when things became tough. She was a woman of love, faith, prayer, grace, strength and determination. On top of that, she was a sacrificial and sensational mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She lived fully convinced that GOD was present and faithful to do whatever He promised.
She was a wonderful example of a Proverbs 31 woman and our crown jewel. The earth has lost a woman of virtue and Heaven has gained a precious soul! Ruth is preceded in death by her parents, husband, two sisters and one brother.
She leaves to cherish her legacy seven loving children, two daughter in laws, Lucille (James) New York City, Sylvia (Mark) Bronx, New York, one son-in-love Diane (Carnell), Jamaica, New York, thirteen grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, three brothers Gussie (Diane) Heyward, of Estill, South Carolina; Larry (Benita) Heyward, of Estill South Carolina; J.C. (Elizabeth) Heyward of Stamford, Connecticut; two sister-in laws Mildred Grant of Atlanta, Georgia and Martha Wilson Jamaica, New York along with her outstanding caregiver who became more than a friend, Mariane Sidibe and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives numerous neighbors and friends.
Sleep Well Mother! We Shall See You In The Morning!