Grace Celeste Rayl Lett

1921 - 2016

Grace Celeste Rayl Lett

Crozet, VA

Grace Celeste Rayl Lett, 95, of Crozet, VA, formerly of Jackson, TN, passed away on December 22, 2016, at the Jackson Madison County General Hospital in Jackson, TN. She was born on December 2, 1921, in Wilmore, KY, the daughter of the Rev. C.H. Rayl and Bessie Julia Kirk Rayl, both Methodist ministers. Grace graduated from Morehead State College in Morehead, KY in 1942. In 1943 she was recruited by the "U.S. Cadet Nurse Corp" to study nursing for the war effort and graduated from Yale University School of Nursing with a Masters in Nursing degree in 1946.

Grace and her husband, Harlon J. Lett, were married on June 15, 1947 and were blessed with 66 wonderful years together. Grace was a dedicated and loving mother and grandmother, who not only cared deeply for her family but many in the community as well. She worked for several years as a head nurse at Jackson Madison County General Hospital, and in the nursery at First United Methodist Church in Jackson where Grace and Harlon were members for 60 years. Her faith was strong and all who met her felt God's love in her presence. Grace was creative, curious, compassionate, and a good friend to many. She enjoyed sewing for her children and grandchildren, golfing with her friends, and traveling in the United States and Europe. In 2009 Grace & Harlon moved to Crozet, Virginia to be with their daughter Cathy Lett Loman due to Harlon's failing health. In Crozet, Grace made her church home at Tabor Presbyterian Church, where she was grateful to find a welcoming community.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harlon J. Lett, her parents, the Rev. C.H. Rayl & Bessie Julia Kirk Rayl, and brothers John E. & Charles W. Rayl, sister Ruth Rayl Smith, and grandson, Robert Jeffrey Adams.

She is survived by her daughters, Betsy Lett Adams of Jackson, TN, and Cathy Lett Loman and husband Jim, of Crozet, VA, son Robert Lett and wife Susan, of Cheyenne, WY, and grandchildren Julia, Matthew, and Sophie Loman, grandson Joshua Lett, two sisters in law and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Grace Rayl Lett will be held on Tuesday, December 27, at George A. Smith & Sons, North Chapel, with Rev. Paul Clayton officiating. Friends will be received at the funeral home from 1-2 p.m. The service will be at 2 pm. Burial will follow at Ridgecrest Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, TN, or to the charity of your choice.