Mary Grant Bailey Williams

Mary Grant Bailey Williams passed from this life on February 20, 2015. She was born at home in the country in Johnston County in the Corbett Hatcher community on October 20, 1920. She was the daughter of the late Dalmon T. and Leone Grant Bailey. She was preceded in death by her husband, William (Bill) A. Williams.

Mary Grant was the first in her immediate family to graduate from college, receiving her teaching degree from East Carolina Teachers College. Soon after marriage, Mary Grant and Bill settled in Williamston with their children, Mary Ann and Billy, where Bill was the hospital pharmacist and Mary Grant taught second grade. In 1965, the family moved to Rocky Mount where they continued their careers and where Bill died in 1990. After her retirement, Mary Grant became an herb and flower gardener and one year was selected as Rocky Mount's volunteer of the year for those efforts at the Children's Museum at Sunset Park.

Mary Grant moved to Cary in 1994 and quickly found new interests including European travel with her daughter who had settled in England. In 2008 she moved to Independence Village in west Raleigh where she developed new friendships.

She was ever the loving mother (and later grandmother) and steady homemaker and cook. She could create a treat frying chicken or a mess of bream. From country girl to a woman of many interests, hers was a life well lived.

Her brothers, Keith and Willard and sisters, Ruth (child) and Helen all predeceased her. She is survived by her son, Billy and his wife Jackie, and her daughter, Mary Ann, and grandchildren, Lennon Grant Flowers and Benjamin Carter Williams.

In addition there are many friends from all locales including but not limited to Faye Rodgerson of Williamston and her sister in law (more of a sister really), Ruth Bailey of Wake Forest.

A service in Mary Grant's memory will be held at Mitchell Funeral Home, Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh on Saturday, February 28, 2015 at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the charity of your choice.