Conway Elijah Grace

CONWAY ELIJAH GRACE, son of Octavia Hart, was born on January 17, 1945, in Birmingham, AL. He transitioned from this life after a brief illness on April 5, 2025, peacefully at his home in North Charleston, SC. 

CONWAY, along with three of his siblings, was adopted by beloved maternal grandparents, Jenny “Mother” Grace and Ervin Grace, after his mother, Octavia, migrated to Brooklyn, New York. He was baptized at an early age and received his education in the Birmingham public school system. CONWAY migrated to New York in 1969 at the age of twenty-four to join his family. In the mid-1970s, CONWAY met and married the love of his life, Mrs. Sandra Gail Grace, and to this union three children were born, Vonita, Shawn, and Latoya. Latoya preceded him in death. CONWAY was a faithful and devoted husband to his wife, Sandra, a loving father to his children, and an adoring grandfather to his eight grandchildren, Alexius, Brianna, Daurell, Giovanni, Donte, Cameron, Amiya, and Elijah. 

CONWAY had an outgoing personality that made him the life of the party. He never met a stranger and always greeted everyone with a big smile and a hug. He loved a good laugh, and got a big kick out of making people laugh. Those who knew him very well also know he was an intellect, and a philosopher who thought and felt very deeply. He was a major presence in the family that will be greatly missed. 

He leaves to cherish his precious memories his loving and devoted wife, Sandra Grace of North Charleston, SC; two children, Vonita Grace and Shawna Grace of Charleston, SC; one uncle, Wendell Mark Grace of New York, NY; three sisters, Francine Grace, Justina Bethune and Louise Hart of Brooklyn, NY; three brothers, Justice Levine Hart (Margaret Ann), Broderick Hart of Upstate, NY, Ajhmel Hart of Albany, NY; one brother-in-law, Larry Dennis (Lakeisha) of Leland, NC; two sisters-in-law, Sabrina Keys (Eric) and Rosalind Dennis of Summerville, SC, eight grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and other relatives. 

A Letter to You, My Love

I sit in silence, yet your voice I hear, 

A whisper in the wind, so soft, so near. 

The years we shared, the love we knew, 

I carry it with me, forever true. 

Your laughter echoed in our home, 

Now I walk this world, but I'm not alone. 

For in my heart, your spirit stays, 

Guiding my steps through that darkest days. 

The moments we cherished, the dreams we made, 

In every sunrise, in every shade.

Though your hand I can no longer hold, 

Our story's written, in letters of gold. 

Your kindness, your love, your gentle grace, 

Are etched in time, they cannot be replaced. 

And as I mourn the life we've lost, 

I find comfort in the love, no matter the cost. 

Now, rest in peace, my love, my friend, 

In heaven's arms, until we meet again. 

Though you are gone from this earthly place, 

You'll live forever in my heart's embrace. 

Love Always & Forever, 

Your Loving Wife, Sandra

A Prayer for Our Father and Grandfather

Dear Lord, 

We thank You for the blessing of our father and grandfather, 

Whose love, wisdom, and kindness shaped our lives.

Though he is no longer with us, his memory lives on in our hearts. 

We ask for Your peace to surround him,

And for comfort as we carry his love forward. 

May he rest in Your eternal care, 

And may we honor him with every step we take. Amen.

Love Vonita, Shawna, & Grandkids