Carl J. Grant

Carl J. Grant passed away October 13, 2011 after a brief illness. He was born in Duck Hill, MS. He was the last surviving child of 11 children born to Charles J. Grant and Nora B. Grant. He joined the U. S. Navy in 1942 and served until the end of World War II. He was the founder of Carl Grant Homes in 1948 and built over 1,000 single family homes, plus apartments and small commercial properties in the Frayser and Raleigh areas of Memphis. He was selected as “Home Builder of the Year” in 1957 and served as President of the Memphis Area Home Builders Association in 1959. In 1960 he helped to organize the Home Builders Association of Tennessee and served as its first President. The National Association of Home Builders bestowed the designation of “Life Director” upon him after serving 8 years as a Director. He was President of the Memphis Area Association of Realtors in 1980 and was selected as “Realtor of the Year” in 1981. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Home Builders Association of Tennessee in 1994. His parents, his brothers and sisters and his first wife, Nancy L. Grant, predeceased him. With only a high school degree he believed in the importance of education and a strong work ethic. He established the Carl J. Grant Scholarship Trust to assist young Christian students further their education. It awarded over 500 scholarships during a ten year period, mostly to students at Union University. He also gave generously to the Union University building fund to rebuild after the tornado in 2008, and Union University named its new student center the “Carl Grant Events Center”. Union University of Jackson, TN awarded him a Doctor of Humanities Degree in 2009. He was an active member and supporter of Bellevue Baptist Church. His precious and loving wife of 28 years, Peggy Jo Grant, survives him. He leaves three children and their spouses: Phyllis G. Taylor (Paul), J. Richard Grant (Karen), and Milton C. Grant (Ruth). He is also survived by six grandchildren, Keith Grant (Kim), Carey Grant (Amy), David Grant (Rebekah), Kevin Grant (Cheryl), Julia G. Auer (Shawn) and Kimberly (Kim) G. Brown (Blair). He also leaves 10 great-grandchildren. Peggy Jo’s sons, Randy Jones and Gregory Jones, also survive him. Visitation will be held Sunday evening, October 16, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Memphis Funeral Home, 5599 Poplar Avenue with services to be held Monday morning, October 17 at 11 a.m. at Bellevue Baptist Church, 2000 Appling Road, Cordova, TN with interment in Memorial Park Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Avenue. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bellevue Baptist Church or Union University. Online condolences may be expressed at www.memphisfuneralhome.net Memphis Funeral Home And Memorial Gardens 5599 Poplar Ave. (901)725-0100

Published in The Commercial Appeal on October 16, 2011