LaVera Grant

LaVera Ledger Grant was born in Chicago, Illinois on June 22, 1929. She was the second child of six born to the union of Henry and Mozella Lyons Ledger. LaVera attended Chicago Public Schools graduating from Wendell Phillips High School in 1946. After high school she matriculated in junior college and shortly thereafter met and married the love of her life, James Emmitt Grant Jr. To this union, two children were born. James and "Baby Sister", as her family affectionately knew her, wed on Valentine's Day in 1949. James and "Strawberry", as he called her, proved to be the anchors in the family. Very few family members or friends can say that they were not helped during difficult times by these loving, caring, sharing individuals. Married for 66 years, they did not attend church, but instead carried God in their hearts and demonstrated through service what a true Christian should be throughout their married life. LaVera was not just a wife, a great mother and friend, but always a helpmate for her husband. She had worked from the time she was a teen, however securing a position with the Department of Agriculture in 1956. She spent most of those years before retirement, in the meat grading division where she sent the meat graders out to meat packing plants for inspection. Work of course was not the totality of who she was. She was very involved with family, and also was a part of a social club called the L5, B.I.C. (Business Investment Club). The club consisted of five members. During the 60s they were known to throw some of the best parties, where they were the best dressed, having matching outfits which they designed and were handmade by the club dress maker. Her grace and knack for style, led LaVera to pursue a beauticians license from the Lydia Adams Beauty College Inc. where she graduated in 1960. She worked in her cousin's shop for a while, but thereafter maintaining a space at home where some family and friends came on weekends to get that special "do". In later years grandchildren came, "they" were blessed to have an awesome grandmother always there to help, attend functions, and buy presents, sometimes spoiling them, but applying a firm hand and lots of love and guidance. Her various hobbies include fishing, line dancing, skating, crocheting (which she learned from her Aunt Myrtle) and crossword puzzles. She loved basketball, especially the Bulls and football, and was an avid Bears fan, even in bad seasons. On January 2, 2016, LaVera made her transition into the next life. She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Mozella Ledger; one sister, Vivian; three brothers, Alvin, Joseph and Warren; and her son-in-law, Ronald Preston. LaVera leaves to cherish her memories, her adoring husband, James; one sister, Eunice Ledger; her son, Kevin Spencer Grant (Billie); her daughter, Felicia Grant Preston; five grandchildren, Duane Lamar Preston, Karen Danae Grant, Renard Elliot Preston, Kevin Spencer Grant II (Ibi-Yinka) and Ciera LaShawnda Preston; four great grandchildren, Leah, Harper, Spencer and Zamir; one sister-in-law, Joyce Ledger; two nieces, Adele Baldwin (John) and Dina Ledger; three nephews, Richard Grant, Ernest Grant (Olga) and Robert Ledger; and a host of loving relatives and friends.

Tributes

LaVera Grant

June 22, 1929 - January 2, 2016