The funeral services for the late Mrs. Grace Jones Thurmond, who departed this life on Monday, February 3, 2025, will be held on Saturday, February 8, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. from the Jones Chapel AME Church in Sylvester, Georgia. Reverend Charles D. Thurmond will deliver the Eulogy. Burial will follow in the Shepard Memorial Garden in Sylvester, Georgia. Services may be viewed Facebook Live from the Shipp's Funeral Home Facebook page or by clicking the Video Stream link on this site's Home Page.

Grace Jones Thurmond was born on September 22, 1946, in Poulan, Georgia to the late Reverend George Jones and Mrs. Dorothy Holloway Jones.

Grace received her formal education in the Worth County School System where she graduated at the age of 16 and was Salutatorian of her class. She went on to attend Albany State College earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Education. Throughout her school years, Grace was active in many clubs and organizations including track and was a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated. She went on to attend the University of Georgia earning her Master’s Degree and being one of few African-Americans to attend the University of Georgia during that time.

Grace became a business teacher at Tift County High School in 1972 and was the first African- American teacher to be hired at Tift County. She was beloved by staff and students alike and continued to teach for 28 years until her retirement in 2000. Because of her love for teaching, she continued to teach after retiring at Moultrie Tech Community College, Darton College, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, as well as substituting in and around Dougherty County. With her business acuity, Grace has acted as accountant and tax preparer for many people in her community. In her latter years, Grace also served as a senior caregiver providing transportation to those who were no longer able to drive themselves. No matter what the assignment, she gave her very best and stayed on the course until the end.

At an early age, Grace accepted Christ as her personal Savior and in her later years was member of Greater Mariah Baptist Church of Sylvester, Georgia where she served as the Church Reporter. Grace dearly loved the Lord and remained prayerful in her daily walk. One of her favorite scriptures was Corinthians 15:51, “But Listen, I tell you this secret: We will not all die, but we will all be changed.”

Family and friends meant the world to Grace, and she was deeply committed to them. She had the sweetest spirit and was always willing to help in any situation. In addition to raising her children and grandchildren, Grace welcomed many children into her home and loved them as her own. She is known as Grandma Grace to many in her community. She will be dearly missed by all who had the privilege of being a part of her life.

On Monday, February 3, 2025, Grace, the devoted servant, was called home to be with the Lord. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Sandra Hughey, nephew Leonard Threadcraft, grand-nephew Tavorris Threadcraft, and dear friend Mary Pearl Jackson.

Loving memories will be forever cherished by her sons Charles (Lacey) Thurmond and Maxwell (Gresha) Thurmond; Sister Martha Adams; grandchildren, Racharla Thurmond, Jasmine Osby, Corey (Twyla) Miller, Adarius Thurmond, Maxwell Thurmond, Jr., Asha Thurmond, and Xuri Thurmond; great-grandchildren, Y’lonie Porter, Y’lonna Porter, Tre Peterson, Dallas Williams, Corey Miller Jr., and True Miller; niece Jeneifer Threadcraft and nephew Charles Bradford; and a hosts of grand-nieces and nephews, cousins, extended family, and friends.