On July 20, 2024, Grace M. Kelly (fondly known as Gracie), went home to glory as a result of cancer and cardiac arrest.  Gracie was born on February 28, 1960, and was the daughter of Shirley A Walton and the late Everette Jones.  She had a late brother, Alonzo Phillips, Jr. deceased.  She also has a sister, Celestine T. Day.  She leaves behind many nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of family members, friends and love ones who knew, loved and cared deeply about her.

Grace was the third generation with the name of Grace.  Her late grandmother and great-grandmother were also named Grace.

Gracie graduated from McKinley Tech High School.  It was there that she received a scholarship to Bennett All Girls College in North Carolina.  While there she wrote and starred in a play during her first year attending Bennet.  She won an award for her participation and performance in that play.  Before leaving Bennett, she decided that she wanted to study cosmetology and as a result obtained her mastery in this field along with the study of barbering.  Gracie was an active poet.  She wrote several poems, including I am Destined to Become an Educated Black Woman and I am Cleopatra.

She visited Africa, where she saw The Door of No Return, where slaves were sent from there to America. She brought back several rocks, sand and coins from Africa.  One of the African males sent one of his wives to Grace saying that he wanted her to become one of his wives.  She also learned how to braid hair while in Africa.

Prior to becoming a vegetarian, she enjoyed meat and sweets.  She developed breast cancer.  She elected to not use traditional medications. Instead she went into herbal treatment and eventually became a vegetarian, consisting mostly of fruits and vegetables.

Gracie has a cat named Buttons.  She loved Buttons. She called Buttons her baby. Her last concern was that we look after and take care of Buttons. Grace always enjoyed and shared whatever she had with her friends and neighbors.  Her contributions and memories will live on in the hearts of many.

May your spirit rest and be in peace, my darling Grace.