Frances Grigsby
May 17, 1933 - December 5, 2021
Frances Grigsby was a beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunty, cousin, and friend. She was a soft-spoken woman who made a huge difference in the lives of many. She studied in Paris where she pursued a career in fashion design and brought those skills back to Liberia. She taught home economics for many years at Tubman High School in the Monrovia Consolidated School System. She was an excellent seamstress who taught her skills to many women in Monrovia and used these same skills to beautify and keep the women of Liberia in up-to-date fashion.
She was a selfless person with a servant’s heart. She had many brothers and sisters and was always willing to help no matter what the circumstance. She fostered many children through the years. During the Liberian Civil War, she was very instrumental in helping her brother and her sister-in-law to safety in Gbarnga, and thereafter, cared for them until they both went to be with the Lord.
She then moved to the United States where although she was not gainfully employed, she acted as a counselor and a listening ear to numerous individuals both in the United States and back in Liberia.
She is survived by her children Yvonne Takyi (Frank), Kiah Aldis (James) her brother Andrew Ellis of Liberia, ten grandchildren, Valerie Takyi, Gregory Takyi, Jeremy Takyi, Grace Aldis, John Aldis (Rachel), Hannah Martin, ( Andy), Adolphus Porte, Yvonne Connie Porte, Rose Redding (Kinnard), Emmanuel Bernard, nine great grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and cousins throughout the United States, United Kingdom, Liberia and Germany.
She was a wonderful Christian woman who loved the Lord and used every opportunity she could find to talk about Jesus and encourage people. She had a caring and sweet spirit about her that made everyone feel relaxed around her.
Frances Grigsby passed away at her home in Okemos on December 5, 2021 at the age of 88 years surrounded by loved ones.
She was preceded in death by her mother Keziah Gibson, father Samuel Grigsby, ex-husband Lloyd Railey, daughter Jestina Porte, her brothers and sisters William Shelton, Jerusha Shelton, Harrison Grigsby, Mabel Grigsby-Yaidoo, Washington Grigsby, Lloyd Grigsby, Frances Grigsby-McBorrough, Arimenta Grigsby-Harris and Milton Birch.
We mourn her loss but not without hope, because we know she is gone to be with the Lord.
Services: Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home
1730 E. Grand River, East Lansing, MI 48823 Tuesday, December 14, 2021
Family Hour: 10am Funeral: 11am
