Grace Elizabeth Tobey

Grace Elizabeth Tobey, age 90 years old, of Jacksonville, FL passed away on April 15, 2023. Grace was born January 17, 1933 to mother Elizabeth A. Scott (Tobey) Jones and father Arad Linscott Tobey in Jamaica, Long Island, New York. The family moved to Washington D.C. at an early age and shortly after to Silver Springs, MD where she attended school through elementary. After her parents’ divorce she was shuttled back and forth between them, leaving her schooling through junior high in various places – Richmond, VA; Newton Highlands and Wollaston, MA; Skowhegan, ME; followed by high school years in Jacksonville, FL where she graduated from Andrew Jackson H.S. in May of 1950, where she lettered in athletics (member of Pepperettes drill team and Girls Athletic Association (GAA).

Following graduation she worked for the FBI in Washington, D.C. for 2 years; returning to Jacksonville to work 2 years for the Florida State Board of Health, Water & Sewer Div. she then went to work for the Buffalo Tank Division, Bethlehem Steel Corp. for 30-1/2 years, retiring in January 1986, being clerk, drafting clerk, purchasing agent, until being promoted to secretary to the plant manager. After retiring, she worked as a temporary at various locations until being hired as office manager of a new firm, Dura-Bond Steel for several years until management decided to close the plant.

She was a member of the Civil Air Patrol during school years and in D.C. Later she joined the United States Army and was assigned to a Reserve unit, the 345th Surgical Hospital, where she proudly served her country for 9 years, from 1954 to 1963.

She was a former member of Faith Memorial Baptist Church before moving her membership to Hart Haven Baptist Church where she was active in choir and other activities where she could be of service to not only her Lord but also her church.

In March of1974 she was initiated into the Order of the Eastern Star, Russell Chapter #290, rising thru the line of officers to serve as Worth Matron 3 times until the Chapter closed; then moving to Woodstock Park Chapter #270, serving there once as Worthy Matron; when that chapter merged with Scottish Chapter #295 where she also served once again as Worthy Matron; she remained a member when the chapter merged with Riverside Chapter 218. She also was a plural member of Wesconnett Chapter #247, serving wherever asked or needed.

She was predeceased by her parents. Surviving are step-sister Mrs. Gayle Kellum (Buddy) of Fernandina Beach, an “adoptive” brother William W. Stanford of Jacksonville, FL, and several distant cousins. Arrangements are by Hardage-Giddens Riverside Memorial Park and Funeral Home, 7242 Normandy Blvd., Jacksonville FL 32205.

A visitation for Grace will be held Monday, April 24, 2023 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Hart Haven Baptist Church, 47 Jim Wright Road, Jacksonville, FL 32254. A funeral service will occur Monday, April 24, 2023 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM, 47Jim Wright Road, Jacksonville, FL 32254. A committal service will occur Monday, April 24, 2023 from 3:00 PM to 3:30 PM at Riverside Memorial Park, 7242 Normandy Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32205.

In lieu of flowers, donations made be made to the Hart Haven Baptist Church, 27 Jim Wright Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32254.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hgriversidefuneralhome.com for the Tobey family.