Eugene W. Grant

1942 - 2025

Mr. Eugene W. Grant was born on February 2, 1942, in Gifford, Florida to the late Ida Mae Burch and John Henry Grant. He received his formal schooling in Brevard County and was a proud graduate of Monroe High School in 1959. Mr. Grant went on to earn his bachelor's degree from Edward Waters College, now known as Edward Waters University in 1963. Mr. Grant also successfully obtained a Master of Education degree from Florida A&M University in 1975.
Mr. Grant met the love of his life, Marion Green, in Melbourne, Florida while employed as a teacher at Eau Gallie Elementary in 1964. They were wed in 1965, and this union produced two beautiful daughters, Michelle and Marsha. Mr. and Mrs. Grant were happily married for 60 wonderful years until his passing.
Mr. Grant started his career as an educator in the Brevard County School District at Poinsettia Elementary in Cocoa, Florida, and Eau Gallie Elementary in Eau Gallie, Florida. He then went on to work in the Nassau County School District at Southside Elementary, Peck High School, Fernandina Beach Junior High School and at the District Office, where he was employed for 30 years from 1967-1997. During this timeframe, he served as a Sixth-grade science teacher, Assistant Principal, Principal and Director of Middle and Secondary Education. During his tenure as Director of Middle and Secondary Education, Mr. Grant was instrumental in the conversion of junior high schools into middle schools in Nassau County. He retired in 1997, after decades of dedicated service and impacting lives.
Among his many accomplishments, Mr. Grant was named the very first "Teacher of the Year" for the Nassau County School District in 1969. In addition, he had the privilege of serving as the Nassau County Superintendent of Schools in the absence of Dr. John Ruis on June 26, 1997, an honor that he deeply cherished. He was inducted into the Monroe High School Sports Hall of Fame for Football and Track in 2022. Lastly, he was recognized by the Peck Alumni Association of Fernandina Beach, Florida on June 22, 2024 for being the first African American Assistant Principal in the Nassau County School District.
Mr. Grant accepted Jesus Christ as His Savior at an early age and was baptized at Mounty Carmel Missionary Baptist Church of City Point in Cocoa, Florida. Mr. Grant was a faithful member of Prince Chapel A.M.E. Church, where he served as a Trustee Pro Tem, Steward Pro Tem and President of the Sons of Allen men's ministry. On June 26, 2016, the Prince Chapel A.M.E. church family dedicated its new educational building, the Grant Development Center, in honor of Eugene and Marion Grant.
Mr. Grant was affiliated with several civic, social and professional organizations. He was a member of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Nassau County Retired Educators, Kiwanis and the NAACP. He also served on the Board of Directors for Community First Bank and the Boys and Girls Club of Nassau County.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ida Mae Burch and John Henry Grant; his step-father, Garfield Burch; brother, Tony Robinson; sister-in-law, Johnnie Mae Grant and God-daughter, Pamela Bridgewater.
He leaves to cherish his memory beloved wife, Marion; daughters Michelle Grant Harris (Brandon) Ocala, Florida and Marsha Grant of Jacksonville, Florida; grandchildren, Eboni Harris of Gainesville, Florida, Morgan Ford of Jacksonville, Florida, Elissa Harris and Elijah Harris of Ocala, Florida; brother, Sylvester Grant of Port St. John, Florida; God-children Christopher "Cordell" Calhoun (Angel) of Jacksonville, Florida and Malcolm Wilcox of Fernandina Beach, Florida; uncle Benjamin Isaac (Lillie Mae) of Yulee, Florida; adopted family Eugene Albert of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Ernie Albert, Helen Albert and Leola Chaney of Fernandina Beach, Florida, Spencer Albert of Tampa, Florida, the Honorable Judge James "Jimbo" Ruth and Tommy Bridgewater (Meeka) of Jacksonville, Florida and Tiffany A. King of Darrion, Georgia; and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
The funeral service for Mr. Eugene William Grant will be held 11 AM Saturday, October 4th, 2025 at the The Journey Church 95707 Amelia Concourse Fernandina Beach, FL 32034. The visitation will be 5-7 PM, Friday, October 3rd, 2025 at the Prince Chapel A.M.E, 95189 Hendricks Road Fernandina Beach, FL 32034. Interment in Green Pine Cemetery. Please sign the family guest book and view the video tribute @ www.tswarden.com. Arrangements in care of Tyrone S. Warden, FDIC, 410 Beech Street, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034, (904) 765-1234