She was the second born of twelve children born in her family. She was a courageous and fun loving young child born to Charles Henry Grier, Sr. and Evelyn (Grier) Wilson. She was able to make friends easily. She and her older sister Carol were taught by their father to sing in harmony as young girls. They learned about Jesus Christ at a young age. The family church was St. Thomas AME Church (Norfolk). The sisters sang hymns and spiritual music. Carol sang soprano and “Jeannie” sang alto. She sang in the choir at Booker T. Washington High School. She graduated from BTW High School in 1962. Her beautiful voice and laughter were some well known elements of her personality. She was a member at First Baptist Church Berkeley; also sang in their choir and in a community choir: The Friendship Choir
led by Shirley Robinson. In 2011, she began attending New Central Baptist Church. Later on in life she was able to enroll in the LPN program (1975) sponsored by the Norfolk City CETA program. While her children were in school, she also studied hard and completed the program in 1977. This milestone enabled her to have a lifelong career in Nursing. During these times her faith in Jesus Christ sustained her when the late night studying became difficult. The verse: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths”-Proverb 3:5,6 (KJV) would often come to comfort her. This testimony inspired her children and her close friends. She really committed her life to Jesus Christ on Dec. 2, 1987 while watching a Billy Graham Crusade on television. She wanted to be sure that she was serving God and not man (Col. 3:23) She worked at various hospitals in Chesapeake, Hampton and Richmond. Her ability to serve elderly patients who needed a caring nurse inspired her to work chiefly in the Gerontology and Spinal Injury Departments at the V.A. Hospital in Hampton, VA.She attended the Evangelism Certificate program sponsored by Virginia Union University and completed the program in 1983. This program inspired her to become an evangelist who focused on helping young mothers in financial and spiritual need.
She wrote an evangelistic tract and a personal testimonial—”Wonderful Miracles in My Life—today, yesterday and tomorrow”. When she retired she began taking organ lessons and creating music while accompanying herself on the organ.
She was a loving wife for the last twenty-eight years to Boyd Macdonald Thomas. He was the devoted primary caregiver during her years of convalescing at home. She was also a mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. Her children: Francine M. Owens (Kevin); Iris B. Harrell; Bernetta M. White (Art ); Bernard E. Boone, Jr. (Czetta); Roderick C. Boone (Sonya); Dontae Butler and Montae Butler. Her 23 beloved grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren were blessed with her laughter, good cooking and sage advice. She was predeceased by her parents, 2 brothers —James, Cassanova (“Cass”); and sister—Juanita (“Nita”). She is survived by Boyd Macdonald Thomas (husband), 8 siblings: Carol, Charles,Jr., Leon, Joseph, Jr., Jerome, Sherry, Carnell and Anthony; a number of first cousins, her seven children, 18 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.
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Grace White says
May 31, 2020 at 1:10 pmFrancine and Family- we are praying that you are comforted with sweet remembrances of your Mother’s love and devotion to you.
Barbara N Dalton says
May 31, 2020 at 6:08 pmBarbara Jean Nichols, Dalton and family,
To the family, you are in our thoughts. We are praying for your healing, with the passage of time. May your pleasant memories sustain and comfort you. For memories never fade, far as long as there is memory, they’ll live on in our hearts.
Linda Slaughter says
June 2, 2020 at 12:23 pmWith love and prayer, to my precious sister, Francine, and all extended family:
May the Lord’s Light continue to shine on you, even as Miss Iris now walks in His Very Presence. May the love she shared with each of you strengthen your love and appreciation for one another, and draw you closer as you journey together in life. God Is Able, and so we are enabled to do all of the things He Has prepared for us to do. May He ever Bless you, Keep you, Strengthen you, Be Gracious to you and Make His Face to Shine upon you. Amen.
Sylvia Williams Butler says
June 2, 2020 at 3:57 pmOur sincere sympathy to the family and the Grier family. A sweet soul has gone on to be with the Lord and her waiting relatives. May God bless you. Family of Uncle Nathaniel Williams.
Anjelic Owens says
June 3, 2020 at 9:46 amLove you Grandma! and love you mom! I know you are no longer in pain and chilling in Heaven.
I pray for your beautiful children that the holy spirit covers them in peace as they mourn and lament your loss. Your spirit is present and grateful for your laughter and joy.
Love you
Melissa Bland says
June 3, 2020 at 10:40 amFrancine, Kevin and the family,
I am so sorry for your loss. I am praying for God’s comfort and peace to sustain all of you during the coming days, weeks and years. I praise God that He has prepared a place for us in heaven and that even in death He is with us and never abandons us.
God bless you all,
Beverly Winston Minor says
June 4, 2020 at 2:23 pmI am so sorry to hear of Jeannie’s passing. I loved her so much growing up on Hough Ave. She and Mrs. Ruby gave me sage advice in my youth. Please know that you have my sympathy as you mourn your loved one.
Norma Plank says
June 6, 2020 at 2:23 pmShe’s gone to be with Jesus
She’s gone to be with Jesus
With all who’ve gone before
Worshiping our Savior
The one we all adore
Earth’s loss is Heaven’s gain
No more sorrow
No more pain
May peace and joy surround your heart
Until the time you too depart
For the Boone Family