Mother Hester Lee Booth Grant, 72, of 3266 Lucas St., Patterson, received her itinerary from the heavenly airlines boarding pass 7, first class seat 26 (Wednesday, July 26, 2017).

Waiting at the Heavenly gates were a set of wings specialized for a woman who loved the Lord, her children, grandchildren, and served diligently in her church and community. These wings were customized to honor a woman whose housed, feed, loved and nurtured all who she encountered.

She was born February 18, 1945 to the late Major Ira Booth Sr. and Bessie Lee Booth and raised by her grandparents the Willie and Estella Booth.

She joined the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, Patterson, at a young age of 12. She later joined St. James Missionary Baptist on the Ridge Church, Patterson under the leadership of Pastor J. M. Butler Sr. She was an active member in the church until she moved with her family to Philadelphia, PA. There she was an active member of Shiloh Baptist Church. In 1990, she returned home with her family and rejoined St. James Missionary Baptist Church under the Rev. Lloyd Butler. She immediately picked up where she left off. She was the leader of the St. James #2 choir. There she served faithfully until her health began to decline. Regardless of her health status, she loved to attend church every Sunday morning and especially Sunday school. She was appointed assistant mother of St. James in January, 2017.

She met the love of her life in 1956 and September 15, 1962 she was joined in holy matrimony to Jonathan Grant. They were happily married for 54 years. To their union, eight children were added.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Major and Bessie Booth; two sisters: Rosa Wright and Ora Mary Johnson; three brothers: George Washington Sr., Curlee Booth, and Major I. Booth Jr.; a granddaughter: Kallee Palmer, and two great-grandchildren: Ahmad Person and Demarian Palmer.

Her legacy will forever live on through those who will cherish her memories: her husband: Jonathan Grant; four daughters: Brenda (Jerome) Palmer, Blackshear, Yvette Frazier of Brunswick, Venturine (Danny) Daniels, Lake Stevens, WA, and Thelma Mason-Grant, Atlanta; four sons: Keith Frazier, Patterson, Kevin ( Melanie) Frazier, Fayetteville, NC, Malcolm (Danica) Deshields, Jacksonville, FL., and Gary McWhorter, Philadelphia, PA.; 13 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, two sisters: Patricia Wilson and Estella (Robert) Ashley, Patterson; a brother: Andrew Booth, Patterson; six sisters-in-law: Mageline Hicks, Punta Gorda, FL, Connie (Herman) Lincoln, Patterson, Linda Grant, Richmond, VA., Wanda Washington, Waycross, Rose Ann Booth, Patterson; three brothers-in-law: Thomas Grant, Jesup, Archie Grant, Mechanicsville, VA., and Ulysses (Geraldine) Grant, Rochester, NY; two aunts: Cleo Williams, Gainesville, GA., and Irene Dobson, Zephyrhills, FL, a godchild, Rayn Rhem, Fairburn, and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

The family is currently receiving friends at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Brenda (Jerome) Palmer, 341 Walker St., Blackshear.

A visitation for Mrs. Grant will be held from 6-8 p.m. Friday, August 4, at the funeral home, 505 Ware Street, Blackshear, GA.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 5, from St. James Missionary Baptist Church, 5610 Washington Lane, Patterson, GA. Words of comfort will be delivered by her brother-in -aw, the Rev. Herman Lincoln.

Interment will follow in the St. James on the Ridge Cemetery near Patterson.

She will lie in state from 10 a.m. until the funeral hour.

The cortege will assemble at 10:15 a.m. Saturday at 341 Walker St., Blackshear, GA.

Rainge Memorial Chapel, Inc., is in charge of arrangements.