Grady, Georgia Elizabeth Stewart

Passed: 2004-05-05

Age: 86

Source: Charleston Gazette

Death Notice: 2004-05-07

Obituary Date:

Information: COTTAGEVILLE - Georgia Elizabeth Stewart Grady, 86, of Cottageville, W. Va., departed this life May 5, 2004, at home.  She was born Sept. 26, 1917, in Danstown, Jackson County, W. Va., the daughter of the late George and Lizzie Thornton Stewart.  She was also preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Dorn Grady; and her beloved sister, Evelyn Durst of Bowie, Md. She graduated valedictorian from Union High School, Cottageville, attended Glenville State College and graduated from Morris Harvey College.  She was a teacher for 35 years, retiring in 1976.  She was a lifetime member of the National Education Association, member of the Cottageville United Methodist Church since 1946, Sunday School teacher for more than 25 years, church secretary, 4-H Club leader, member of the Rebekah's Lodge, Hospital Auxiliary, Historical Society and Jackson County Senior Citizens.  For 20 years she taught one-room schools in the hills and hollows of Jackson County, responsible not only for the academic needs of 20 to 40 students in grades one through eight, but also responsible for tending fires, finding clothes for those who were lacking and meeting many of the other non-academic needs of her students.  Later she ""graduated"" to a larger town school, finishing her last 15 years at North Elementary School in Ravenswood, W. Va.  Here, she was known for bringing alive such interests as books and science.  Her last major school effort was a Heritage Day at school.  As an example of the memories she created, recently one student reminisced to her of a story that Georgia read to her as a student more than 30 years ago.  The former student still remembered most of the story, but wanted to find the book so she could read the entire story to her own grandchildren.  Because the library did not have the book, Georgia found her own copy and gave the former student the book, allowing memories and a love of reading to be shared with another generation.      Church work has been a major volunteer recipient of Georgia Grady.  For many years, she has served the Cottageville United Methodist Church as board member, secretary and adult Sunday School teacher.  Through the week, she devoted many hours to studying her Sunday School lesson so that she would be totally prepared for the adult students on Sunday morning.  If the weather was bad, she was the one contacted to see if the church would be held. She was an active 4-H club leader for more than 35 years, first in a one-room school, then in a community club.  In addition to being a club leader, she served as a 4-H camp counselor, contest judge, and chauffeur of many kids to regional and state events.  She even helped write a 4-H project on cake decorating.  In recent years, she has served as a volunteer cook at camp and judged the first-year 4-H project at the fair for more than 20 years.  She is a 4-H All Star and served as a member of the Jackson County 4-H Foundation.      Other community work included the County Historical Society, where she served on the Board of Directors and spent scores of hours helping to compile a large county history book.  She was also a mainstay of local adult groups such as Ladies Aid, Rebekah's and the senior citizens.  If a birthday occurred in the groups, she was usually the one to bake and decorate the cake.  She drove the elderly to many of the functions.  If she was not available, due to illness or absence, many activities were cancelled until she returned.  She also served as the treasurer for two cemeteries.  Every December, she donated several weeks to helping the Adopt-A-Family program with sorting of clothes and other items.  She also assisted her local church in ""adopting"" a family, as well as taking care of families at other times.  During the January 1994 heavy snows, she and her husband trudged through knee-deep snow to ensure one ""adopted"" family's safety. With the family's food supply low and no electricity, she brought the mother and daughter to her own home for more than a week.  Later, she helped move the family to another home.  She bought clothing and other supplies for that family as well as many other neighbors over the years.  When deaths occurred in the community, she was quickly on the phone, ensuring that the needs of the living were met.  In addition, she personally prepared food for the family.  Every Sunday night for more than 20 years, she went to the local hospital to staff the Hospital Auxiliary desk; a mastectomy could keep her away from her hospital volunteer duties for only three weeks before she returned to full service.  She has helped with countless blood drives.      In addition to all of this, she found time to raise a family of two sons, help her husband on the farm, care for an invalid mother, and remain a close friend to family and friends. After her husband suffered a stroke in 2000 and moved to a nursing home, she changed her schedule so she could spend 7 to 8 hours a day with him.      She is survived by her sons, Gary Grady of Charleston and Jerry Grady of Cottageville; grandchildren, Michael Grady of Charleston, Sara Grady of Knoxville, Tenn., Jessica Grady of Elkins, Melissa Grady of Sarasota, Fla.; great-grandchildren, Alex, Ben and Christopher.  Service will be 3 p.m. Saturday, May 8, 2004, at the Casto Funeral Home Chapel, Evans, W. Va. with Pastor Phillip Scarberry officiating.  Burial will follow in the Cottageville United Methodist Church Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.  In memory of Georgia, donations may be made to the Cottageville U.M. Church or the Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Casto Funeral Home, P. O. Box 167, Evans WV 25241.