TLC Africa 2008

JOHN HARVEY GRIGSBY, Sr. was born to the union of His Excellency, Ambassador John W. Grigsby and Educator Serena Knight-Grigsby on May 3, 1945 in Greenville, Sinoe County, Liberia. As the 4th of five children, he was raised as a Methodist. He chose to follow Christ at an early age and was very active in community services. He served as troop leader in the Boys Scout and president of the Methodist Youth Fellowship (MYF). Harvey attended the College of West Africa (CWA), Ganta Methodist Mission and Booker Washington Institute (BWI) where he earned a diploma in electrical engineering in 1965.

In 1966, Harvey was hired by the Liberian Electrical Corporation (LEC) where he worked on the construction of the Liberian Hydro Dam, Liberia's primary electric source. Later he was employed at the Liberian Refinery Company (LRC) until his departure to the United States. On December 23, 1968, Harvey married his high school sweetheart---the beautiful and effervescent Mai VanPelt, then a young news anchor at the Liberian Broadcasting Corporation.
While in Ohio, Harvey obtained a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Master's in Business Management from Central State University and Wright State University, respectively. He was employed by General Motors Corporation in Cincinnati, OH (1971 - 1977) before being transferred to a subsidiary, State Fabricators in Farmington, MI until his retirement in 2003.

Harvey, a proud Liberian, a family-man and an avid jazz lover, was also known as a "judge without a palava hut" --- always mediating, resolving other people's concerns and crisis. He believed in education --- always 'preaching' to young Liberians of the Diaspora to obtain their education. He was involved in many organizations, including but not limited to, the Masonic Craft, Liberian Association of Michigan, CWA Alumni Association, BWI Alumni Association, and Sinoe County Association of America (SCAA). In April 2008, SCAA honored Mr. Grigsby for his contributions to their association, county and country. Until his illness, he was an active member of The Second Grace United Methodist Church (Detroit, MI).

Harvey leaves to mourn his wife, Mai VanPelt Grigsby, his children: Serena Habinett, Harvey John and Henry DeWitt, his grandchildren: John and Emmanuel, his siblings: Mrs. Victoria Grigsby Weah, Mrs. Judith Grigsby Campbell, Ms. Joan Grigsby, Ms. Congit Grigsby, and Mr. Raymond Grigsby along with many relatives and friends in Liberia, Ghana and the United States. Harvey is preceded by his father, mother, and brothers (George and Winston). HARVEY JOHN Grigsby, Sr., the "Ambassador", and our "Punch" as he was affectionately called will be missed.
Our families are better because you, Harvey, came into our lives!

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE HOME-GOING:

WAKE: Friday, December 12, 2008 (6 - 10 P.M.)
Second Grace United Methodist Church
18700 Joy Road
Detroit, Michigan 48228

FUNERAL: Saturday, December 13, 2006 (10:00 a.m.)
Fellowship Chapel
7707 W. Outer Drive
Detroit, Michigan 48235

INTERNMENT: Grand Lawn Cemetery (1:30p.m.)
23501 Grand River
Detroit, MI48219

REPASS: The Liberian Community Center
13300 Puritan Street
Detroit, Michigan 48227

CONTACT:
Serena Habinett Grigsby 313-623-0635
Harvey John Grigsby 313-663-9588
Henry DeWitt Grigsby 313-461-4789
L. Wellington VanPelt 678-432-7640
Heather Pascal 248-396-5977