Mrs. Jerline Grayson

GRAYSON, Mrs. Jerline, Age 91, passed away on Wednesday, February 11, 2015 at Western Hills Assisted Living. Family Hour 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 17, 2015 in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., with services commencing at 2 p.m. Family and friends will assemble at the funeral home at 1:30 p.m. After-which Mrs. Grayson will be taken to Brown Funeral Home, 2704 Commerce Circle, Pine Bluff, Arkansas 71601. (870) 534-3210 fax (870) 535-5774. Family Hour 5 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home, Pine Bluff, AK., with services commencing 10:30 a.m. Saturday, February 21,2015 at Barraque Street Missionary Baptist Church, 1800 W. Pullen St. Pine Bluff, AK, 71601. Mrs. Grayson will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home and may be viewed from 12 p.m. - 8 p.m. on Monday. The Life of Jerline Taylor-Grayson The life of Jerline T. Grayson began on July 5, 1923 in Ethel, Arkansas. The third of thirteen children born to Luther and Estelle Taylor. She attended school in Ethel and Stuttgart in Arkansas County, and Lake View in Phillips County. She graduated from Fargo Agriculture School in Fargo, Arkansas in 1943. In May of 1943, Mrs. Grayson entered AM&N College (presently University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff). She graduated in 1947 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Home Economics Education. In 1956, she earned a Masters Degree in Home Economics Education from the University of Arkansas Fayetteville. In 1927, Mrs. Grayson also earned a Masters Degree in Science Education from the State College of Arkansas (presently the University of Central Arkansas). For thirty-eight years, Mrs. Grayson has worked as an educator in Arkansas at Rison, Blacksville, Holly Grove, and Star City. She retired in 1985. Many of Jerline’s former students reside in Flint, Michigan. She married Thomas Grayson in March of 1946, and became a member of Barraque Street Missionary Baptist Church in August of the same year. At Barraque Street Baptist Church, Mrs. Grayson served and worked in several capacities. She taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and participated in the Missionary Union as a member and president, sponsored the Carol Choir, and was the Dean of Christian Education Leadership School. She has attended numerous local, district, state, and national congresses of Christian Education of the National Baptist Conference USA, Inc. In 2007 Mrs. Grayson was recognized as a Living Legend of Barraque Street Missionary Baptist Church. The following are expressions by Reverend Robert Thompson, from his “Legacy of Love”: “Often we think of hospitality only as dinners and parties, but to be hospitable is to behave in a warm manner, to entertain with generous kindness, and for the Christian hospitality, involves sensitivity and availability. Sister Grayson is remembered for her punctuality (always 30 minutes early), her consistency in service, her persistence in teaching the word of God to young people, and her devotion to the church family. Sister Grayson has been a member of the Barraque Street Missionary Baptist Church for more than six decades. I can attest to the fact that Sister Grayson is a hospitable person. As such, she impacted the lives of young and mature members as well. “ In 2009, Jerline received the “living Legend Award” from the Arkansas Baptist Convention Womens Auxiliary, as a member and past president. Jerline was also a volunteer for the Literacy Foundation in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Mrs. Grayson has touched many lives over the years, and has given of her talents to Pine Bluff, Jefferson County, and the State of Arkansas. Jerline’s health began to decline in early 2000. She moved to Michigan in October 2007 to live with her niece and caregiver, Ernestine Holmes. Survivors are: sisters-in-law, Emma Taylor, Mary Taylor McGhee of Flint, MI, Peggy Taylor of Houston, TX, Marie Taylor of Midland, MI, and Cora Taylor of St. Louis, MO; brother-in-law, Willie Grayson of Memphis, TN. Many nieces and nephews, including God-daughter, Sherlie Jackson of Muskegon, MI, special God-daughter, Ruby Hatton Conaway of Pine Bluff, AK; first cousins, Bunia Baxter, and Audrey Montgomery of Pine Bluff, AK. Many friends include; Margie Bell, Mary Jimmerson, Alma Jackson, and the Barraque Street Baptist Church Family. Mary Cox, Christine Denson, and Mildred Buggs of Flint, MI. Mrs. Grayson was the last surviving sibling of Luther and Estelle Taylor. The memory of her love will last in the next four generations.

Mrs. Jerline Grayson

July 5, 1923 - February 11, 2015