Frances Virginia Grady

Frances Virginia Grady was a caring and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt and friend who left this world suddenly on Monday, January 11, 2021. Virginia was born on October 17,1935, in Cullowhee, NC to Frank Edwin and Wilma Olivia (Smith) Norton. After graduating high school, Virginia moved to Washington, D.C. to work in the office of the F.B.I. Her husband, Jim Grady, continued his pursuit of her after meeting her while he attended Western Carolina University. This is where their love story began which led to their 67 wonderful years of marriage. (December 19, 1953)

Virginia's spirit and love of life lives on in her husband, Jim Grady, her daughter, Debra (Zimmerman), her son-in-law, Zim Zimmerman, her daughter, Cindy (Childers), her son-in-law, Mark Childers, her son, Bryan Grady, her grandson, Taylor Zimmerman, her granddaughter-in-law, Katie Zimmerman, and her great grandson, Will Zimmerman, and her grandsons, Brock Childers, Blake Childers, Brady Childers, and Quinn Grady, and her brother Ray Faircloth, and nieces and nephew. Virginia put God first in her life and family second and showed all of us that when you do this everything seems to work out for the best.

Virginia led her life by example. She was the emotional center of her family. She was always available to help solve problems or to celebrate joys. She was an amazing parent and a dear sweet wife. She lived her days unselfishly devoted to the needs and dreams of her family and friends. She had a magnetism for finding those in need and helping them in any way that she could. She was faithful to her church (Summit Community Church) and realized that church goes beyond the walls. She had a way of winning people over, and when someone came into her home, they automatically became a part of the family. To say she was supportive is an understatement. She was completely devoted to her children, her grandsons, her great grandson, and her husband all of her life. She found great joy in helping others in need and she made it her Christian mission to do so. She loved spending time cooking and creating delicious meals. Her pound cakes are legendary; not to mention her fresh cooked creamed corn. She was an AMAZING lady and a BLESSING to anyone who knew her. She will be missed by so many. She was loving and was loved very deeply.

The peace we have now is knowing that our Momma and Nana is now in Heaven with our Heavenly Father and running the streets of gold with her parents (Frank Edwin and Wilma Olivia (Smith) Norton), and brothers (Jim Norton, Gene Norton, and Ed Norton), and grandson (William Grady Zimmerman), and friends that passed before her. 

Service Arrangements for Virginia Grady are incomplete at this time.

Virginia’s heart belonged to helping others; in lieu of flowers and as a living tribute to her; please consider making a donation to or becoming a volunteer at Burke United Christian Ministries. You can donate online or you can send your gift to 305B West Union Street, Morganton, NC 28655. Or you can make a donation to their Food Pantry or their Clothing Store. Additionally, Virginia loved being a part of Summit Community Church’s (407 South Green Street, Morganton, NC 28655) weekly food program for Feeding the Homeless. A monetary donation to that program would make our hearts happy too. Or you may find and have your own special way to honor her. We thank you.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.