Gatsie Duchess Grant

INTRODUCTION
Perhaps it would behoove us all too occasionally consider taking a different point-of-view on a host of situations, even at this time of bereavement. Without deliberation, those who knew well our beloved Gatsie Grant would agree that she had a unique and often refreshingly optimistic outlook on many issues, not least of which, God, family, friends, music, socializing, volunteerism, and a love of nature. As a result, this is a deviation from traditional obituaries. Thank you for your indulgence in this novel yet succinct glimpse into the life of a spirited individual who was befittingly known by her noble middle name Duchess. Prior to her transition to her heavenly Father on July 12, 2022, she lived "a good life."
A GOOD LIFE
Born October 22, 1942, in Walton County, Florida, she was reared and spent a good life in Jacksonville, Florida. She accepted Christ as her personal savior as a child and regularly attended King Solomon United Baptist Church until her health started failing. In addition to attending church, Duchess had other interests including the piano and a unique ability to pause in awe of the aesthetics (beauty) of nature and its many splendors. Encouraged by her mother, she learned to read music and play the piano. Her lively musical renditions filled the home with melodic rhythms that still echo in her children's memories. Moreover, she developed an appreciation of the solace of nature while assisting her mother in cultivating flowers and fruit trees. She attended and graduated from New Stanton High School (New Stanton) where she was a majorette. She fondly reminisced about her attendance at New Stanton, and how it created a family atmosphere and that may attest to why she adored the color blue. Duchess extended and instilled that same family mentality within her own children from the eldest (Wendy Holt, George Grant, Jr., Wanda Grant, and Wennell Brown) down to the youngest (Dr. Niki Peterson, who followed Duchess's path by being a graduate from Stanton College Preparatory School, formerly New Stanton High School.
In her adult life, she enjoyed taking her children, and on occasions, neighborhood kids, and many other nieces and nephews in her roomy vehicles to the beach. While the kids played in the surf and sand, she walked along the shore under a smiling, merciful sun as gentle breezes blew off the ocean. She admired her good life as she tanned and watched the children play. Birding (Ornithology) was an admiration she shared with her mother, and one had better not bother the colorful array of birds that fed in her yard. Moreover, both she and her brother Kenneth shared an enjoyment of plants and growing techniques. The prolific growing ferns and aloe Vera were her preferences; proverbial wars have been fought about each of those plants, and she usually won.
Duchess worked in the hospitality industry for many years before the entrepreneurial urge prompted her to fulfill a long time passion in the area of early childhood education. Although both areas required communication, integrity, leadership, and organizational skills, she had to adhere to local and state regulatory mandates for career/technical certifications. She often spoke fondly of both career paths, but her eyes would gleam with excitement when she spoke of her preschoolers.
Duchess followed a mantra from Activist Angela Davis who wrote: "I'm no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I'm changing the things I cannot accept." As a young adult, it was unacceptable to her the lack of infrastructure that existed in the small community area of Imerson and Fourth Street where neighborhood kids played on dirt roads relative to other neighborhoods throughout the city. She fearlessly advocated and lobbied city hall for consistency and community revitalization, such as paved roads and street lights. As a life-long egalitarian, it is not surprising she supported children causes also. What began as simply teaching Sunday school to kids, spiraled into her joining Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. Her tenure with Big Brothers Big Sisters established an institutional marker for her as the longest, active member in the southeast. She was honored by receiving an award at a banquet, and a letter from former President Barack Obama applauding her efforts in volunteerism.
Preceded in passing were her parents Mr. Ernest and Mrs. Gatsie Lewis; siblings Charles Campbell, Ernest Lewis, Jr., Benjamin Campbell, and Annie Mae Campbell; and grand-daughter Letrena M. Grant. She is survived by her children Wendy G. Holt, George E. Grant, Jr., Wanda V. Grant, Wennell L. Grant, Dr. Niki L. Peterson (Michael), and her former husband George E. Grant, Sr. Her surviving grand-children are Selena D. Grant; John H. Holt, III; Elonza A. Ellis II; Aalayah L. Lennon, and Aiyanna A. Lennon. Duchess is also survived by her siblings Kenneth E. Campbell (Joan), Ida Mae Campbell, and Dorothy Jean Barnes; and her aunt, Mary Hall, and a host of other loving family members.
CONCLUSION
Similar to how the Apostle Paul wrote epistles (letters) to encourage the church, if Gatsie Duchess Grant had written an epistle to us today, it would likely encourage us to have moments of both self-reflections, followed by celebrations of what she deemed as "a good life." Be clear, she would not be referring to "the good life" filled with futility (Ecclesiastes 12:6-8), but "a good life" filled with God, family, friends and an appreciation for natural wonders and unconditional love. That letter would probably advise each of us to find moments for self-introspection to ask (1) Have I thought about my legacy? (2) How do I wish to be remembered? Next she undoubtedly would instruct each one of us to start at this particular moment living unapologetically a wonderfully, delightful life filled with acts of kindness, dreaming big, taking chances on love, showing empathy, and finding joy. She would probably close with one of her memorable quotes: "The world owes me nothing." Finally, she would offer a simple but sincere thank you to each of us for our presence here today and having been part of "a good life."
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