Marian Sanford Gibbs Grant

Raleigh - Marian Sanford Gibbs Grant died on March 15 after an eventful life of 95 plus years.  She was born in Commerce, GA, on October 10, 1921, the first of seven children of Robert Aubrey and Margie Lord Gibbs who died in 1994 and 1985 respectively.  She was married June 16, 1942, to Dr. James Marse Grant of High Point who died October 17, 2008. Surviving her are three daughters:  Susan Grant Rawls and husband Robert (Bob) Rawls, Murrells Inlet, SC; Marcia Grant Morton and husband Spencer Morton, Raleigh; and Carol Grant Potter and husband Raymond (Sam) Potter, Raleigh. Also surviving are six siblings:  Thomas Adin Gibbs and wife Hallie, High Point; Roger Allen Gibbs and wife Betty (deceased), Greensboro; the Rev. Carl Gordon Gibbs and wife Jessie (deceased), Burgaw; Carey Lord Gibbs and wife Linda, Anaheim, CA; Edwin Aubrey and wife Jeanette, Greensboro; and one sister, Laurie Wynne Gibbs Waynick and husband Dwight Waynick (deceased), Greensboro. Six grandchildren also survive:  Kerri Suzanne Rawls, Alpharetta, GA; Tracey Wynne Rawls Preslan and husband David, Roswell, GA; Robert Mark Rawls and wife Sarah, Mooresville; Kevin Michael Hungate and wife Kirsten, New York City; Eric Matthew Hungate and wife Marianne, Greensboro; Andrew (Drew) Spencer Morton, Raleigh. Six great grandchildren also survive:  Mitchell Scott Preslan, Macey Wynne Preslan and Miller Grant Preslan, Roswell, GA; Sydney Ruth Rawls and Robert Mason Rawls, Mooresville; Nolan Gibbs Hungate, Greensboro. In addition, Marian was the matriarch of a large extended family that reunes each year in August. When Marian was 2 years old, the family moved to Carthage, NC.  When she was 6, they moved to Greensboro where she lived until her marriage to James Marse Grant of High Point on June 16, 1942. Her formal education was interrupted so that she could help the family during the Great Depression.  She graduated from the Greensboro public school system in 1939. Marian was totally dedicated to her family and loved everything that had to do with her family.  She and her husband had a happy marriage for 66 years and 4 months.  He was editor of the “Biblical Recorder” for 23 years and they worked together as a team.  When he went to the Baptist World Alliance in 1955, she received his photos, script and lay-outs and produced the “Charity and Children” of which he was editor.  She also wrote columns for 10 years for the “Charity and Children” and the “Biblical Recorder” and scanned 750 weekly church newsletters for items of interest for his readers.  In 1956 they chartered planes from Raleigh and Charlotte to the Southern Baptist Convention.  Thus began a sideline that grew to 500-800 persons and in 1982 became Grant Tours, Inc.  Its mission and theirs was to help Southern Baptists go to the annual meetings and later, groups were taken to the Passion Play in Oberammergau, Germany, Mexico, Hawaii, British Isles and other European countries over a period of 40 years.  Through the years both were involved in religious and public issues.  Many of their papers are at the Archives at Wake Forest University. Her volunteer included work with the handicapped and disabled.  She was chairperson of the Governor’s Advocacy Council for Persons with Disabilities and a board member of the NC Association for Emotionally Troubled Citizens.  She was chairperson of the North Carolina Women’s Forum, the first woman elected as recording secretary of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina and an honorary member of Delta Kappa Gamma, International Society of Educators, She was the first woman to serve as chairperson of the Southern Baptist Convention Committee on Order of Business and was recording secretary of the NC Woman’s Missionary Union.  She served as executive secretary-treasurer of the NC Women’s Federation and edited the “North Carolina Clubwoman”.  Marian was Tar Heel of the Week in the Raleigh “News and Observer” in August, 1977.  In addition, she taught adult Sunday School at Crabtree Baptist Church and Hayes Barton Baptist Church. A memorial service will be held Monday at 1:00 PM, March 20, 2017 at Hayes Barton Baptist Church. Dr. David Hailey and Rev. Charles Thomas Bodkin will officiate. The family will receive friends in the Fellowship Hall following the service. A private family burial service was held at Raleigh Memorial Park. Her life was dedicated to family, church, friends and the community.  We will miss her vibrant spirit of giving and selflessness.  Many thanks to the caregivers at The Oaks at Mayview who lovingly cared for her during the last three years of her life.  Thanks also to the staff of Transitions (Hospice) of Wake County who gave many hours to her care.  Donations can be made to Transitions of Wake County and to Hayes Barton Baptist Church.