Mary Anna Grady, 98, went to be with the Lord on October 1, 2024. A native of Duplin County, she was born in Albertson Township daughter of John David Grady Sr. and Ruth Outlaw Grady. Her parents instilled in her the value of an education and the importance of community service. It was understood that her life would be faced with honesty, unselfishness, and hard work. She was a 1943 graduate of BF Grady High School. She went on to attend Montreat Junior College and then transferred to East Carolina Teachers College, where she earned her Bachelor Degree of Physical Education and Science. She returned to Duplin County to teach at BF Grady, where she was known as "Miss Grady". With the realization that a teacher must remain a student, she returned to East Carolina University where she received her Master Degree. She taught at BF Grady for 15 years. She spent the remainder of her 43 year Biology and Advanced Biology teaching career at East Duplin High School. She was involved in many innovative projects including curriculum development, and writing of criteria referenced National Science tests. Her influence is still felt in the lives and thinking of hundreds of her students.

She was a member of many organizations, one of her most beloved being the Alpha Eta Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society where she served as President. Among the special recognitions she has received: finalist for the NC Outstanding Biology Teacher Award, East Duplin High School Teacher of the Year, two time Duplin County Teacher of the Year, District Science Teacher Award, and NC Outstanding Science Teachers- Duplin County Representative.

Mary Anna was a past president of the Grady-Outlaw Literary and Historical Association, member of the Duplin County Outdoor Drama Society, the American Legion Auxiliary, Daughters of the American Revolution, and Girl Scouts USA where she served as a Troop Leader and Camp Director. Mary Anna has been a lifelong member of Pleasant View Presbyterian Church serving as a teacher and Elder.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, John David Grady Jr., her sisters, Amelia Snelling and Peggy Ellis, her nephew, Carroll Grady, and her niece DeAnna Ellis.

She leaves behind to cherish her memory, her nephews, John David Grady III and Rollins Snelling, her nieces, Susan Phillips, Janis Gordon, Sherry McDonnell, Dixie Jernigan, and Johnica Ellis-Kiser and their spouses and children who dearly loved her. A special thank you to her many caregivers.

Visitation will be at 1:30 - 2:00 PM on Sunday, October 6, 2024 with the service following at 2:00 PM at Pleasant View Presbyterian Church. Burial will follow at Grady Family Cemetery, 3608 NC-111, Albertson, NC 28508.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to

Edgecombe County 4-H

PO Box 129

Tarboro, NC 27886

memo line: Mary Anna Grady Memorial Fund