- Date Of Birth: October 2, 1947
- Date Of Death: September 22, 2023
- State: South Carolina
Pastor Magaline Gary-Grant of Myrtle Beach passed away on Friday, September 22, 2023.
As a native of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Pastor Magaline Gary Grant was born on October 2, 1947, to the late Wallace and Martha Abraham Gary. She was raised on Carver Street in the small beach town and grew up in what is now known as the Booker T. Washington Community. She was educated in the Horry County School System, attending and graduating a “Bulldog” from Whittemore High School, Conway, S.C., in 1965. Employment included Belk, the Uniform store, and Burroughs & Chapin Company. Wanting her own coins, Mag would also fid small jobs to compensate and keep her busy. At age 18, she met a handsome young man by the name of Ralph Grant of Georgetown, S.C. After a short engagement, they were married on May 30, 1967, Together, they had three children: Karen, Shelton, and Latonya. The two celebrated 46 years of matrimony until he went home to be with the Lord. As a young girl, Pastor Grant attended Sandy Grove Missionary Baptist Church, under the divine leadership of Rev. Sylvester L. Riggins. It was during her twenties, on a Wednesday night at Choir #3 rehearsal, she became ‘overwhelmed with the Holy Spirit’, and felt like a new creature in Christ! On that night at Sandy Grove in 1975, she ‘gave her life to Jesus Christ’ and became SAVED. Pastor Grant continued her Christian walk for 8 years when (in 1983) she was CALLED INTO THE MINISTRY! She preached her initial sermon at Shields Chapel Fire Baptized Holiness Church. On fie for the Lord, Pastor Grant traveled throughout the community Churches, carrying and sharing her torch, leaving many ofen thinking she had joined and become a member of EACH of them!
She has experienced much joy in performing marriages and shared sadness in eulogizing many family and friends over her ministerial career. Having spent the last 12 years a Mt. Carmel, she has built the ministry and been a light to ALL! Amidst her failing health, hearing from and listening to God, she passed on the leadership of Mt. Carmel to her youngest child, Elder Latonya Grant-Brown. She gave thanks always to the many teachers and Clergy whom she came under the leadership of. Among them was Pastor Maude Ridges and many others. ‘Mother’, as she was affectionately called, has been and remains a true pillar in the Booker T. Washington Community. In 2018, she began giving tours of Te (historical) Colored School and continued her humanitarian work until God called her home from this earthly tabernacle on Friday, September 22, 2023, as she peacefully awaited the Master’s call at her home. She was honored by Myrtle Beach Mayor, Brenda Bethune, as the “2019 People’s Pastor”. As a part of her humanitarian work, Pastor Grant has additionally assisted and become very instrumental in establishing various Addiction Recovery Centers, feeding the hungry, and finding residential housing all over the Grand Strand for the homeless. She served on numerous and various boards and organizations such as being a Board Member of Te Pine Island Cemetary, a Board Member of the Booker T. Washington Advisory Board, and so many others.
Her precious memories will forever be cherished by her loving children: Karen (Ray) Brathwaite, Abdul Shabazz “Shelton”, Latonya (James) Brown, and Octavia Johnson. Her most treasured title was “Grandma”, coming from Brittany (Sidrik) Green, Sherika Gore, Lauren Grant, Shaquan Washington, Jordan Tomas, Novien Gore, Wallace Grant, Kaitlyn Brathwaite, Jamare Brown, and Joshua Brown. She was “Granny” to her 18 great-grandsons. Further cherishing her memory will be her 2 sisters; Pecolia Johnson and Maxine Woodberry; a loving and dedicated sister-cousin, Mary Willis; (3) sisters-in-law: Joan Ryan, Cassandra Grant, and Phyllis Grant; (2) brothers-in-law: Terry (Maria) Grant, Charles (Bessie) Burrage; adopted God-daughters: Pastor Sherlyn Simmons, Co-Pastor Pamiela Barr, Evangelist Barbara Hightower, Van Gause, Yvette Brown; adopted sons; Pastor David Barr, Pastor Antwan Lawrence, and Pastor James King; other loving nieces, nephews, cousins and an abundance of other family and friends. Forever good friends: Maxine Goings, Martha Collins, Rutheina Green, Lillie Mae Gibson, and Clarence Gibson.
