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Marianne Edwards Grant passed away on Thursday, September 9 in Duluth, Georgia. She was born and raised in Ozark, Alabama until 5th grade when her family moved to Troy, Alabama. She graduated from Troy High School and attended the University of Alabama where she was a member of the Chi Omega women’s Fraternity. She graduated from Troy State University, Troy, Alabama with a degree in Elementary Education.
Marianne was a spirited person and enjoyed life. A bit of a pioneer in her youth, she was known for zipping around town in her MG (perhaps before she was 16) and flying planes, sometimes during school hours.
She began her general aviation adventure in May 1956 accomplishing her private pilot’s license in March 1957 in an Aeronca Champ. The aviation bug was encouraged by her father who fixed wrecked airplanes in their garage and built a plane of his own, then started Edwards Aircraft at the Troy Airport.
She had a love of Elvis Presley, dance hops, and the Hangout in Panama City Beach, Fl. She met her late husband, Gene, through her date while on double date (boy do they have some good stories). They were living in separate towns at the time which made dating difficult. She took Gene on his first airplane ride (he went on to get his pilot license and helicopter instructor license). They ended up at the University of Alabama together leading up to their engagement.
After getting married, Marianne joined Gene in the Army life being stationed at Fort. Riley, Fort Benning (where their son Butch was born), and the National Guard at Fort Irwin. After leaving the service, they settled in Troy, Alabama (where their daughter Leigh was born).
Marianne enjoyed bridge, tennis, crafts, lathe work, woodworking, quilting, and FUMC activities. She graduated from Troy State University in 1970 with a degree in Elementary Education. She was employed by the Pike Country School System until 1979. In 1979, the Grant family (while Butch was at Auburn University) moved to Columbus, Ohio. Marianne became a master bridge player, family genealogist, antique enthusiast, national park traveler, and world traveler.
In 2006, they retired to Orange Beach, Alabama where she continued with bridge, woodworking, traveling, watercraft adventuring, and fishing. She and Gene spent a lifetime of learning, doing, making friends, and loving their family.
She was proceeded in death by her parents, Walter Ray Edwards and Dorothy Ann Fuqua Edwards and her husband Stanley Eugene Grant, Sr. She is survived by her son, Butch Grant (Susan) and daughter Leigh Kelly Grant Calton (Steve), 9 grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at the Orange Beach United Methodist Church, 28751 Canal Road, Orange Beach, Alabama 36561 on September 25, 2021 at 11:00 AM, with receiving family and friends at 10:30 AM.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Orange Beach Public Library https://www.orangebeachlibrary.org/ or the Alabama Coastal Foundation https://www.joinacf.org/.
Mary Marie Taylor says
Leigh so sorry to read about your mother! What a wonderful life she had! Prayers are up for you and your family. I will be thinking of you!
Amy Carpenter says
Thank you for sharing the wonderful story of Marianne’s life! A pioneer indeed! The fact that she flew a taildragger is proof! Your family has much to celebrate.
Emily Berkov says
Your mother was one of my favorite bridge partners in Columbus, Ohio and we played in various tournaments together as well as at club games over several years. Most of all I remember all the good times we had together at the bridge table or just socializing. My deepest condolences to Butch and Susan.
Nita Chambless says
Leigh, what a beautiful tribute to your mother. She was certainly a woman of many talents.
You have many loving memories to cherish and sustain you during this difficult time. May God’s rich blessings support you and your family.
Mike & Jo Ann Scheadler says
We will always treasure our memories of Marianne as our dear friend and neighbor. We considered her and Gene as family. She was the perfect southern lady. We used to sit and talk for hours and I loved to hear of all the places that they had been and the adventures they had. She was so sweet and such fun. She loved the ocean so much and said that Orange Beach was where she was supposed to be. She was so smart and witty. We loved playing cards with them. She was a “card shark”. We had so much fun with them. We had just lost Gene and not long after Marianne had her stroke and she was, of course, not herself. However, she fought back. She was a strong lady!! Our thoughts and prayers are with Leigh and Butch and their families at their loss. Everyone who knew Marianne has lost a wonderful, lovely lady! We love you Marianne!!
Pat Tooke says
Leigh, what a beautiful tribute to your mother.
God certainly blessed her with a full life using all her many gifts & talents.
Remembering her life certainly has to be a comfort to you & your family as you cherish your memories.
May God give you peace as you face the days ahead adjusting your life with her absence.
You were the most dedicated daughter these last years as her care taker. Your mother was blessed to have you care for her.
Love& Sympathy,
Pat