Mary Lee Grandison was called home July 11, 2021, at the age of 86 years old. Mary was born July 27, 1934, in Courtland, Alabama to the late Napoleon and Mary Clopton. She lived in Courtland until moving to Akron, Ohio. She married her late husband Richard Grandison Jr., with whom she started a family.

Mary loved being a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose motherly love and support were not only reserved for her family. She could often be found providing a meal, a ride to school, or a good story with a firm lesson to help you in the future. Serving as a remarkable example of strength and fearlessness, you would be hard-pressed to find someone who loved as deeply and was as passionate about life. For those of us that knew Mary best, we might describe her as a straight shooter, who stood firm in what she believed, and who was never afraid to speak her mind.
Mary was a longtime member of Mt. Haven Missionary Baptist Church, and she loved her church family. She was known to have a serious green thumb and loved to spend time tending to her yard. She took great pride in the fact that she did most of her yard work herself. She would happily offer all the tips needed to begin a garden and was more than happy to provide you with a starter plant of your own.

Mary also loved to travel, especially with her family. Whether it be a short car ride to Cedar Point, an extended road trip through the deep south to visit family, an overseas flight to a wedding in Jamacia, or even a Caribbean cruise, you could count her in.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Grandison Jr.; sons, Richard Maverick Grandison, III and Stanley B. Grandison; daughter, Eldora Grandison-Martinez; mother, Mary; father, Napoleon; brothers, James, Bishop, Tommy (Red), Franklin (Franky), Charles, and Aaron; sisters, Ester, Lillian (Shorty), and Ora (Louise).

She leaves to cherish her loving memory her son, Carlos O. Grandison; sisters, Rosie, Mattie, and Emma; brother, Jessie; grandsons, Seneca McGowan, Richard M. Grandison; granddaughters, Eldora N. Grandison, Princess Grandison; great-grandsons, Jacob Grandison, Landon Decaul, Van Laster II, and Victor Laster; cousin, Ora Dee Henderson; niece, Lola Mosely; longtime family friend, Melody Wren as well as a host of other family members and friends.