Submitted by: Dan Rich

Ollie Mae Grayson

March 29, 1924 - May 13, 2006

South Bend Tribune 5/15/2006

After a lengthy battle with diabetes, Ollie Mae Grayson was called to rest on May 13, 2006. She was born in South Bend on March 29, 1924, to Joseph D. D. and Betty Weatherspoon. On October 2, 1948, in South Bend, she was united in marriage to Arthur F. Grayson, who preceded her in death.

Mrs. Grayson was known throughout the South Bend community for her beautiful singing voice. She was member of the H.T. Burleigh Music Association where she sang the lead roles in several operas, and was a soloist for their many concerts. She was also a member of the St. Pierre Ruffin Club.

She loved classical music, and shared her knowledge with her daughter, granddaughters, nieces, nephews, and neighborhood children by teaching them piano and voice lessons. She was a strict music teacher, requiring her students to learn music theory and correct concert performance expectations. She loved poetry, and had several poems published in Lyrical Voices, an international poetry anthology. She devoted and faithful member of Olivet A.M.E. Church where she served as a Stewardess, Sunday School teacher, and a member of the education committee. As long as her health permitted, every first Sunday, she sang The Lord's Prayer after communion was served.

She leaves to cherish her memory, a daughter, Kathleen Grayson-Lowery; granddaughters, Erin Shell, Kahila (William) Thomas, and Carmen Lowery; great-grandchildren, Ashlee Curry, Kierra Thomas, Wisdom Thomas and Vanessa Mitchell, all of South Bend; brother, Lee Moorman (Gladys) Weatherspoon of Vandalia, Michigan; sister, Gladys E. Bigham of South Bend; brother-in-law, Dr. Dale (Y. Ernestine) Grayson; sister-in-law, Ann Grayson; and her best friend, Ruth Sanders; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Per her request, Mrs. Grayson asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made, in her memory, to Olivet A.M.E. Special thanks to all the staff of Saint Joseph's Care Center, and Hospice, for their care and respect. Funeral services for Mrs. Ollie Mae Grayson will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 17, 2006, in Olivet A.M.E. Church, with burial following at Highland Cemetery. Visitation will occur one hour prior to services in the church. Arrangements have been entrusted with Alford's Mortuary.