Nan Underwood Grady

         Nan Underwood Grady, 76, passed away on Monday, March 3, 2025, after a brief illness. Nan was born in Rocky Mount, NC to the late Marjorie Blanchard Underwood and John Jenkins Underwood.

         Nan graduated from East Carolina University in 1971 where she met and married her husband of 53 years – William Michael Grady.

         She loved her calling as a housewife and homemaker and enjoyed raising her children in Florence, SC where she and Michael made their home in 1980.  While Nan was an active and devoted member of St Paul United Methodist Church for over 45 years, she never forgot her roots in the southern Baptist Church. It was in the third grade when a shy, young girl walked down the aisle of the Woodland Baptist Church in NC and chose Jesus to be her savior. Even at such a young age, it was during this same time she developed a strong prayer life that would serve her well for the rest of her life.

         Nan served on numerous committees at St. Paul over the years.  She led St. Paul’s participation in the local Meals on Wheels organization providing hot meals to those in need for over 25 years.  However, it was through her beautiful voice and musical talent that she made her largest contribution. She enjoyed singing harmony the most and particularly enjoyed singing with the ladies’ group, “Kindred Spirit” where they sang as “one voice.” For many years, Nan was also the director of the cherub choir where she introduced young children to the joy of music and taught them God’s word in the song’s message.  The St. Paul Upper Room Sunday School class along with its extended weekly Bible study group became part of our family and it was through these relationships and bonds formed that she continued to grow in her knowledge and relationship with Jesus.

         Nan is survived by her husband Michael along with her son William Michael Grady, Jr., daughter, Kelly Grady Chapman (Dan), daughter-in-law April Grady, sister, Ann Underwood Lee (Don), brother-in-law James Daniel Grady, III and sister-in-law Carol Grady Reeves (David).   She is also survived by her three grandchildren, Serenity Jade Chapman, Ari Savannah Niamh Grady, and Caedmon Michael Grady along with a number of nieces, nephews & cousins. Nan always had a heart for animals and leaves behind her two favorite and latest cat babies – RoRo & TeBo – who will miss her dearly.

         Services will be held at 4:00 PM on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at St. Paul Church (1629 West Palmetto St. in Florence). Family will receive friends immediately following the service.

         Memorials may be made in Nan’s memory to St. Paul Church, House of Hope of the Pee Dee or Leadership Ministries Worldwide (https://lmw.org/give/). 

         Waters-Powell Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.

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