Charmaine Grice

Charmaine Grice of Dover, Delaware passed away at 90 on Sunday, February 18, 2024 in her home in Smyrna. She was born in Powhatan Point, Ohio on June 21, 1933 (her doctor said the 20th but we defer to her mom) to the late Hally Thomas and Anna (Annie) B. (Edison) Thomas. She came from humble beginnings with a father who was a coal miner and preacher.
In her lifetime, mom worked as a nurse (LPN I believe), a hotel elevator operator (where she met Pearl Bailey), at Green Giant, and she retired from General Foods (Kraft). After retirement she did some part time private caregiving. More importantly than where mom worked was her love for those around her and her love for her family. She was known as mother Grice long before she was old enough to be considered a mother in the church. Mom cared for her family, the best her ailing body allowed her too, and for Dad until the time of his passing. The job that she was the most proud of was that of wife and mother.
Mom met and married Dad, Austin L. Grice Jr. at Westover AFB, MA. They were married on May 23, 1955. Their journey continued to Dover AFB, DE, Oxnard AFB, CA, Elmendorf AFB, AK, Dover AFB, DE, Edwards AFB, CA, and ended at Dover AFB, DE where he finally retired!
There are many things for which Charmaine will be remembered, one is for her amazing singing voice. She was called on to solo for her father as a child and continued to solo as long as she was able. Although we had few songs, a singing group was created with her and her daughters. She was proud to have started and directed the Mount Zion Youth Choir. In trying to recall some of the things that Mom would have wanted us to share this was a summation from one of mom's caregivers who worked with her recently, 'She was a wonderful woman who had love for all from blood family to her adopted families..she had many fond memories about living in Alaska and her dogs. She enjoyed a deep laugh, where her smile would light up the room.never concerned for herself, but always for others. She made calls to let you know she was thinking of you even if she cut the call short! You knew she was thinking of you. Everyone seemed to know her as an amazing woman and all that she did for those around her." Mom was the candy lady for all of Delaware; passing out candy to youth and their parents from her trunk but only if they could share a bible verse.
From childhood Charmaine was playing church with her youngest brother, Ocie. She loved the lord and made sure that everyone knew how she felt. Her standard greeting when answering her house phone was, "praise the lord" and it was even part of her voice mail. If you listen now perhaps you can hear in your spirit, "Praise the Lord Saints." Mom was a member of Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church for many years, and was also an ordained minister and pastor at one time.
Basketball and football were two things that you knew about if you knew mom. She spoke of her time playing on a basketball team and even coaching a girls' team. Up until last month she actually played versions of the indoor game with her grandchildren. If they practiced they might have a chance at beating her. Lebron James and the Eagles were always on her mind.
Mom was preceded in death by her husband of almost 68 years, Austin L. Grice Jr, her parents Jones Hally Thomas and Anna (Annie) B. Edison Thomas. Additionally, all of her siblings: brother W. Ernest (Dub), brother Louis, brother Leander (Lee), brother John (Ram), sister Jaunita, brother Ocie Frank, Sister in law Berletha Grice Burton and her husband Wilburt Burton Sr. (Curly) and her sister in law Jean Grice (John's wife), and her son in law Kevin B. Taylor.
Charmaine leaves behind her children Eugene A. Grice (Darlene), Dover, DE, Cassandra Taylor Dover, DE, Cheryl Charles (Duane) Smyrna, DE, and Richard Henry, Ewa Beach, HI. Charmaine has 18 grandchildren (and their spouses) and 15 great grandchildren along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Final reflection from her son Eugene: Bigger and better things are on the way. Imagine what it might be and what God still has in store for her family.