Jean E. Graetz

1929 - 2020

Jean E. Graetz

Montgomery - MONTGOMERY - Mrs. Robert S. Graetz, Jr. (Jean Ellis Graetz- Jeannie), age 90, died peacefully at home in her sleep on 12/16/2020. Born in E. Springfield, PA on 12/24/1929. Jeannie met her soulmate, Robert S. Graetz, Jr., at Capital University in Columbus, Ohio, and married him in 1951. Jeannie put her formal education on hold, serving alongside her husband throughout his ministry Community Lutheran Church in L.A.; Trinity in Montgomery, AL; St. Phillips in Columbus, OH; St. James in Wash., DC; Christ the King in Columbus, OH; St. John in Logan, OH; the Ohio Council of Churches; the Conference of Inner City Ministries with the Department of Metropolitan Ministries in Wash., D.C.; and from 2005- 2020 in Montgomery, where they served as consultants for ASU's Nat'l Center for the Study of Civil Rights and African American Culture. In her 80's, Jeannie returned to school at Alabama State University to finish her teaching degree and in 2015 became the oldest graduate of ASU's undergraduate program, graduating Magna Cum Laude with a roaring standing ovation in the Acadome. Jeannie leaves behind her sisters Ruth Warner of E. Springfield, PA; Lola Mitchell of Felton, DE; Kathleen Iamaio (Nicholas) of Oswego, NY; and Mary Maxwell (Joseph) of Harborcreek, PA; Sister-in-law Suzanne Deutschmann of Nashville, TN; 6 children: Meta Ellis (Emma) of Montgomery, AL; Diann Graetz of Yucca Valley, CA; David Graetz (Gale) of Campbellsburg, KY; Kathryn Graetz of Colombes, France; Jonathan Graetz (Pam) of Dayton, OH; Carolyn Glass (Michael) of Pittsburgh, PA; 26 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends. She was recently preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Robert S. Graetz, Jr., whom she lovingly cared for during his final years at home in hospice care; her parents, Marshall and Marian Ellis; and her beloved son, Robert S. Graetz, lll (Ray).

A virtual memorial service will be held Sunday, January 24th at 2 PM, Central time on YouTube. The link is:https://you.tubePHQ2oJfaJ2g.The service will be held at First Baptist Brick-a-Day Church at 347 N. Ripley St., Montgomery, AL. Only family and speakers will be in attendance due to the Covid restrictions. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given to the Graetz Foundation (General Fund or Jeannie Graetz Literacy Fund); the ASU Foundation's fund for the National Center for the Study of Civil Rights and African- American History; or Montgomery Pride United- In loving memory of her son Ray 1558 Dunbar St., Montgomery, AL 36106.

The Graetz family wishes to extend our deepest appreciation for all the loving care and the outpouring of love for her.