Grace Marie Poston

On Thursday, March 14, 2024, Grace Marie Wilson Poston gained her heavenly wings. We honor our beautiful mother who lived her life to the fullest. She was born on November 25, 1946, to the late Hurshell and Zola Mary Boga Wilson in Memphis, Tennessee, the fourth of their six children. While many know her as Grace, she was affectionately called Marie by her family. She was a respectful child who was raised with strong values. At an early age, Grace Marie accepted Christ and was baptized at Lake Grove Missionary Baptist Church on Wren Road. In school, she loved home economics, English, and was a member of the Latin club. Grace was known for her beautiful penmanship, which was exhibited over the years in many greeting cards sent to families and friends. In 1964, she graduated from Douglas High School and later became an active member of the National Douglas Alumni Association. Grace fell in love with Roy Lee Poston, and upon asking her father for her hand in marriage he initially said, “No”. Fortunately, after a conversation with her mother he changed his mind and they happily married on April 7, 1967. As a couple, they enjoyed socializing, entertaining and traveling and her loving husband affectionally called her “Sweets”. To their union, two beautiful daughters were born, and they made a wonderful home for their girls. Grace did well by her husband and now they are reunited in God’s glorious kingdom. Grace Marie was industrious and worked 24 years for Sears, Roebuck & Co. before her department relocated to Atlanta, GA. To increase her employment opportunities, Grace enrolled at State Technical Institute and earned an Associate Degree in Business Administration. After graduation she worked for U.T. Knoxville and eventually retired from The University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Grace was a charismatic entrepreneur which allowed her to be a top seller with AVON, Home Interiors & Gifts and Princess House. At Princess House, she won two fur coats and a trip to Hawaii. As a loving and supportive mother, Grace was a Girl Scout troop leader, an active member of the Band Booster Club at Whitehaven High School, and a chaperone for many of their field trips and activities such as majorettes, cheerleading and band. Her financial prowess allowed her daughters to participate in many activities and eventually to become members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.® Over the years, she provided the same support to her grandchildren by selling Girl Scout cookies, raising funds for the Precious Pearl Cotillion, attending Taekwondo matches, and participating in several school activities and events. Amazing Grace was a hero! On Sunday’s she and the girls would visit the elders of the family after church to assist them with any of their needs be it at the nursing home or in their home. She helped feed the homeless as a missionary and was always known for giving out care packages. She was a caregiver who provided support to many in times of illness and need, often staying at their homes’ night and day. As a faithful disciple of Christ, Grace was a member of Lake Grove M.B. Church and Jerusalem M.B. Church. For the last 32 years, she was a dedicated member of Berean Missionary M.B. Church. She served in the Women’s Choir, Missions Society, Seniors Ministry and always supported the Angel Tree Ministry. As a friend, Grace was trustworthy, loyal and fun. She participated in many civic organizations, sung in the choir, hosted Matron’s Meetings, and was a member of the Sassy Divas Birthday Club. She alone with friends traveled all over the world from San Francisco to Martha’s Vineyard to Paris to Jerusalem to Qatar. Grace was known for being a fierce Pokeno player, and she loved playing Uno and Scrabble with her grandchildren. Grace lived life to the fullest. Some of her favorite things were watching ‘The Young in the Restless’ and ‘The Bold and The Beautiful’; shopping, clippings coupons; white Reeboks, and eating sweet snacks. She always had to have a little treat and if questioned she would say, “I can have a treat!” Her grandchildren appreciated her goodie bags and greeting cards for each holiday which included a two-dollar bill. Her favorite activities were going to the bank and the post office right before closing. That was our mom, and we love her so. Grace Marie leaves a legacy of love and light with her daughters Sibyl Yvette Miller (Maurice) of Owings Mills, MD, and Felicia Nicole Strickland (Kendrick) of Bartlett, TN; her grandson, Wesley Le’Roy Fenner, who she raised as a son. Five granddaughters, Erin Miller, Emira Miller, Kaitlin Strickland, April Miller, and Maya Miller; her siblings Gladys Henderson, Robert “Sonny” Wilson (deceased), Mary L. Clark, Hurshell Lewis Wilson, and Arthur Wayne Wilson; her sister-in-law, Wendy Poston Parrish; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Grace Marie Poston

November 25, 1946 - March 14, 2024