There are condolences waiting approval on Lucille 's Tribute wall
Celebrating the life of Lucille Gardner (Lukie) Grant
Be the first to share your favorite memory, photo or story of
Lucille .
This memorial page is dedicated for family, friends and future generations to celebrate
the life of their loved one.
We ask on behalf of the family that you keep your comments uplifting and appropriate
to help all who come here to find comfort and healing.
Obituary for Lucille Gardner (Lukie) Grant
Lucille Gardner (Lukie) Grant of Jackson, MS, went home to her Lord on Monday, August 29, 2022, at age 98. She was born December 24, 1923, in Gulfport, MS, to William Henry Gardner, Jr., a civil engineer, and Ida L. Gardner, a telegraph operator. Her family moved to Hattiesburg, MS, then to McComb, MS, where she spent most of her formative years and made lifelong friends.
She attended Mississippi State College for Women for three years and while in summer school at Mississippi College met David Ruff Grant, whom she married in 1944. When asked by her parents how they would survive financially, Lukie replied, “love and the congregation”. This proved to be a prophetic statement as her husband pastored loving and generous rural churches in Tillatoba, Scobey, and Wayside, MS, while still in college.
Both graduated from Mississippi College in 1945 and moved to Louisville, KY, to attend Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, where she earned a Master of Religious Education and he a Doctor of Theology. During their time in Kentucky, she taught in public schools and served with Women’s Missionary Union (WMU) of the Kentucky Baptist Convention and held a myriad of other jobs as they worked their way through seminary.
The couple moved to Burgin, KY, where her husband pastored Burgin Baptist Church and they had their first child, Sarah Elizabeth. In the fall of 1952, he was called to pastor Drew Baptist Church in Drew, MS, where their other two children, Lucille Olivia and David Ruff, Jr., were born. In 1958 the family moved to Jackson, MS, where he pastored Broadmoor Baptist Church until December 1984. Lukie was the consummate pastor’s wife, a first lady magna cum laude. She wholeheartedly supported her husband’s ministry and served alongside him in countless ways. She was a faithful church member and prayer warrior and, in the home, helped establish the spiritual foundation for her family.
In the mid-1970s, Lucille began a thirteen-year career with the State of Mississippi as examiner and supervisor with Disability Determination Services. After she and her husband both retired, they served as missionaries in Norway and Germany, where he pastored English-speaking congregations and there together served the congregations.
At age 81, she volunteered with American Red Cross on the Mississippi Gulf Coast after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. At age 88, she served in France with a mission team from Broadmoor Baptist Church. Lukie was a loyal friend, confidant, mentor, and servant to many -- both young and old.
She is survived by her children: Sarah Perkins (John) of Ridgeland, MS; Olivia Mahon (Jerry) of Marietta, GA; and David Grant, Jr. (Lynn) of Brentwood, TN, as well as eight grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren, and countless friends. A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, September 2, 2022, in the chapel of Broadmoor Baptist Church, 1531 Highland Colony Parkway, Madison, MS 39110. Visitation will be in the preceding hour at 10:00 AM. The family respectfully requests that all attending wear masks.
Memorials may made be made to the David and Lucille Grant Missions Endowment via Broadmoor Baptist Church. Arrangements are being handled by Sebrell Funeral Home, Ridgeland, MS. A life well lived. To God be the Glory.
.jpg)