On Tuesday, October 8, 2019, Sister Grace Russell Jones Means departed this life at the age of 93. Grace was born on September 25, 1926, to the late Carroll and Thedia Russell of New Holland, North Carolina. Grace was united in matrimony to the late Frederick Jones, Sr., and many years after his demise, she joined the late Homer Means in marriage.
Sister Means’ primary education was in the public schools of North Carolina. She attended Booker T. Washington High School in Norfolk, Virginia and the University of Greensboro in North Carolina. She also attended Norfolk State University. Grace retired after 33 years of teaching in the Head Start Program.
In the late fifties, Grace joined Mount Olive Baptist Church in Norfolk, Virginia where she served on various ministries. She was a member of Usher Board #2, the Golden Years Ministry, and the Fannie Jones Missionary Circle. She was also a member of the Quiet One’s Ministry under the pastorate of Reverend John R. Davis. Outside of Mount Olive, Sister Means was a Den Mother for the L & J Garden Boys, Boys Scouts of America, and long-standing member of multiple chapters of the American Businesswomen’s Association. She was their 1988 “Woman of the Year.” Grace was also a member of the “Sophisticated Ladies.” She remained very active in the community until her health began to fail.
Grace appreciated and enjoyed the beauty of family life. She loved to cook and to make special dishes when she was entertaining guests. She was a loving and caring person who loved people and they loved her. She loved her family, her Pastor, her church, and most importantly she loved God.
Sister Means was preceded in death by two brothers, Claude Russell and Bruce Russell, both of North Carolina and three sisters, Dora Burris, Myrtle Williams, and Thelma Norris, all of Norfolk, Virginia.
She leaves behind to cherish her memories, her two children, Barbara Brown of Maryland and Frederick Jones, Jr. of Virginia Beach; a stepdaughter, Patricia Means Pierce of Virginia Beach, two sisters, Tory Russell Hayes of Lynchburg, VA and Carolyn Ellis (Sam) of North Carolina; and one brother Reverend Dr. Leroy Austin (Evangelist Grace Austin). Also treasuring her memory are three sisters-in-law, Rose Means of Columbia South Carolina, Clister Means Lyles of Baltimore Maryland, and Dorothy Walton of Norfolk, VA, a special granddaughter, Veronica Jones, a special grandson, Jamaal Means, seven grandchildren, five great grandchildren, and a great-great grandson, a special niece, Michele Nix, and special and loving cousins Shirley Merrick of North Carolina and Mary Smith Merrick of Buffalo, New York. Additionally, holding heartfelt remembrances are close sisters in Christ Otellia Clark and Deaconess Edith Brumage. She leaves a host of nieces, nephews, and special friends.
Condolences(12)-
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Marchee Pharagood says
October 11, 2019 at 4:42 pmRest in peace Big Mama
Love you…Marchee, Aniya, Mason, Maxson.
Cassandra Santos Dryden says
October 13, 2019 at 4:28 pmBig Mama Grace we love you so much! God has you in the palm of His Hands now. We will see you again when Jesus returns for all of us tomorrow on the day of redemption. Love you always, Mary, Felicia, Amanda , Carlos, Cecil and Cassandra
owen durham jr says
October 14, 2019 at 12:41 pmHey Fred,this is OD.May The LORD Bless you and your family during this transition of LIFE for LIFE is ETERNAL in GODS HOUSE and we all who believe in HIM will come together again. So keep on Believing my friend and GODSPEED to YOU.
Monica Johnson says
October 14, 2019 at 7:29 pmGet your rest.
Deanna Means says
October 15, 2019 at 9:51 amYou will be missed. My condolences to all the family.
Tony Brown says
October 15, 2019 at 2:30 pmLove you! Big Mama ( Bips). I am going to miss you. I look back on the time. I spent the whole summer with you. I was a teenager. You thought, I was lonesome. I was just happy to spend my summer with you my BIPS. Love you RIP
Olivia Wilkins=Martin says
October 16, 2019 at 10:48 amMy sincere condolences to the family. Grace was a very special friend and co-worker. She always spoke the truth about everything by saying what she meant and meant what she said. She was one of a kind always willing to help someone else. Rest well in heaven my friend. My the family and friends find peace in knowing that God will see you through this difficult My prayers are with you.
Olivia Wilkins=Martin says
October 16, 2019 at 10:45 amMy sincere condolences to the family. Grace was a very special friend and co-worker. She always spoke the truth about everything by saying what she meant and meant what she said. She was one of a kind always willing to help someone else. Rest well in heaven my friend. My the family and friends find peace in knowing that God will see you through this difficult My prayers are with you.
Michele Northern McCoy says
October 17, 2019 at 10:09 amSincere condolences from Paul and Eva Northern’s children, Brenda, Roddy, Mickey and Eric. We all have found memories of Miss Grace and Mr. Fred having good times with our parents and our Aunt Inez Cole and Uncle Joffre Cole on Denison Ave. We could always count on seeing them at the Krazy Kat dances. May her soul rest in peace.
Wanda Williams says
October 18, 2019 at 8:48 amR.I.P. my friend going to miss our conversation when you would come to the doctors office . My PRAYERS go out to her family and friends ??
Nerissia Lynette Merrick says
October 18, 2019 at 2:41 pmTo my family, I thank God for the opportunity to spend time with y’all. Aunt Grace will forever be in my heart. I loved her dearly. I pray that we will continue to stay in touch and have dinner together every now and then. Let’s make time for one another. I don’t mind cooking and I will fry the chicken wings. Mother and Aunt Grace would love for us to stay In touched. God Bless our family!!!!!!
Shelia H. says
October 18, 2019 at 7:31 pmMy deepest and sincere sympathy to each and every love one of Mrs.Grace Jones Means. She will truly be a beautiful angel in heaven, just as she was on earth. She has earned her wings as well as her crown of glory…S I H P GRACIE MAE…the love of such beauty will never be forgotten.
Continue to lift your eyes unto the hills…My prayers are with you all.