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Rosemary Cecil Grady, born in Muncie, Ind., on Sept. 25, 1912, died Oct. 15, 2012, shortly after celebrating her 100th birthday.
She was the daughter of Maud Clark Cecil and Ralph Jordan Cecil, who preceded her in death. Rosemary’s family moved to Dallas in 1927, where she graduated from Highland Park High School.
Later the family moved to Denton, where she worked as the bookkeeper for a local car dealer and attended classes at North Texas State University from which she attained a BBA in 1937. There she met her future husband, Walter Clay Grady. They married on April 16, 1938, in Denton.
Throughout the years, Rosemary was always Walter’s helpmate in whatever business he was engaged. They lived in several towns across Texas including Denton, Abilene, Odessa, and Whitesboro before finally settling in Greenville in 1959. Rosemary kept the books and managed the office. That was her perfect comfort zone.
She worked in Greenville at Grady Chevrolet and in Rockwall with her son, Pat, at Lakeside Chevrolet. When she was 80 years old, Walter told her it was time to retire.
Rosemary is survived by her son, Jerry and wife Emily; her daughter-in-law, Carol; and four grandchildren, Melissa Holliman, Michael Grady, Caroline Platt, and Kristen Norton. She also leaves behind 11 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Her last years were blessed with the loving care given to her by Emma Freeman and Pat Downs.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Walter; her son, Pat; two sisters and one brother.
Those wishing to remember Rosemary with a memorial gift are directed to the Greenville YMCA or to a charity of choice.
Services are at Coker-Mathews Funeral Home at 10 a.m. today with Rev. Stephen Cotten officiating. Interment follows at Memoryland Memorial Park.
Pallbearers are William Rutherford, Gregory Norton, J.B. Mainord, Robert Holliman, Brenner Holliman, and Michael Grady. Honorary pallbearers are Jake Holliman and Waddill Platt. Online condolences may be made at www.cokermathews.com
